Animal lovers fear plans to clean up a long-neglected stretch of riverside in Isleworth could harm wildlife living there.

The north bank of the Duke of Northumberland's River running through Silverhall Park has for many years been used as a dumping ground, with used needles reportedly among the detritus found there.

It is set for a face-lift as part of wider efforts to smarten up the historic river and attract more visitors.

But the proposed work has not been universally welcomed, with some local residents worried the wide range of creatures calling it home could be uprooted.

Sabrina Silwood, who lives near the park, said that strip of land was teeming with wildlife including hedgehogs, bats, stag beetles and herons.

"The project's intended objectives will not be 'improving the habitats for development of the wildlife'," she said.

The ivy-covered fence along Mill Plat, beside Silverhall Park, is being retained for now

"The effects of this idea will kill off and destroy the large amount of wildlife existing there already."

The work is part of a £400,000 project which is already underway to spruce up the Duke's River and create a 10km circular riverside walk, linking it with the River Crane and the Thames.

The operation was awarded £157,000 from the Mayor of London's Big Green Fund following a public vote last year, with Hounslow and Richmond councils agreeing to top up the funding.

The environmental group FORCE (Friends of the River Crane Environment), which was instrumental in securing the funding, said it supported the plans.

'Major new asset for the community'

FORCE chairman Rob Gray said he respected people's concerns about wildlife on the north bank in Silverhall Park and it was important the work was planned and implemented carefully to minimise the disturbance.

"Our view is that this space has little or no community value in its present closed off state and is at risk from both antisocial behaviour and future development if it is not brought back in as an actively used part of Silverhall Park," he said.

"We believe this scheme can create a major new asset for the local community, whilst at the same time retaining and enhancing the environmental value of the space, and this will require careful management and implementation of the proposals by the council supported by volunteer groups."

Mr Gray said discussions were ongoing about how best to achieve this, with initial proposals including the creation of hedged-off wildlife havens and a ban on dogs.

Plans to replace the fence along Mill Plat with bollards to open it up to the public have already been put on hold after concerns were raised at a public meeting on Tuesday, February 2.

Volunteers wanted to help carry out work

Local police had supported the fence's removal, arguing that opening up the land would help prevent antisocial behaviour.

But members of the Isleworth Society were among those opposed, with the group's secretary Christine Diwell saying she feared it would leave people using the pathway more vulnerable to muggers.

Hounslow Council has said the work is due to take place this spring and summer, and it is keen to involve as many volunteers as possible.

The proposed work includes the removal of some trees, which the council says will help light reach the river and promote the growth of woodland wildflowers and aquatic plants.

The council said similar changes in Crane Park had been shown to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour and dramatically increase visitor numbers.