Nature lovers are needed to help spruce up a river running through Hounslow, Richmond and Hillingdon.

The London Wildlife Trust has secured a £19,926 grant to improve the River Crane and encourage its rich variety of flora and fauna to flourish.

The environmental charity needs the public's help to carry out the work, which is set to begin soon and continue for the next year.

The Hounslow Crane Community Project is being led by LWT conservation officer Tom White, who will assist volunteers to clean up the river, plant vegetation and enhance the floodplain, among other activities.

"This project is perfect for residents who want to do something to improve the area that they live for people and wildlife," he said.

"We are forming a group of local volunteers to help improve the River Crane. Our volunteer sessions are always very rewarding and you will make some great friends along the way."

Volunteers will also get the opportunity to receive free training so they can contribute towards the Crane Catchment's citizen science monitoring programmes.

As well as making the river more attractive to wildlife and human visitors, it is hoped the work will safeguard the Crane's inhabitants from future pollution.

The river, a tributary of the Thames running about eight miles from Hayes to Isleworth, has been hit by a number of sewage spills in recent years.

In 2011, thousands of fish were killed when sewage was released into the Crane by Thames Water to prevent it backing up into Heathrow.

Two years later, the river's recovery suffered a major setback when environmental vandals, who were never caught, sent more sewage coursing into the waterway.

For more information about the Hounslow Crane Community Project or to volunteer, email Tom White at twhite@wildlondon.org.uk.