The first phase of a scheme to make a Dorset river more fish-friendly has been completed.

The River Stour, which runs through Wiltshire and Dorset before heading out into the English Channel at Christchurch, has been the subject of a project by the Environment Agency.

A habitat improvement scheme has been underway in the area of the river that flows through the grounds of Bryanston School in Blandford Forum.

The Environment Agency has worked with the school, Wessex Chalkstream Rivers Trust and local landowners to implement a fish passage here.

It is hoped that this passage will help migratory fish, such as sea trout, bypass a large weir that previously prevented their passage upstream and reach previously inaccessible stretches of the river.

Contractors adjusted disused hatches on a bypass channel to improve flows down a redundant stream. A notch was then cut in a disused cast iron weir to make it easier for fish to swim upstream. Finally, a number of woody habitat features were installed to improve habitat for fish and invertebrates.

The scheme was funded through the the Fisheries Improvement Programme, which comes directly from the sales of national rod licences.

Although not a chalk stream, the Environmental Agency says that the Stour is an important river rich in wildlife that is fed by several chalk-fed tributaries. It is home to numerous species of insects, animals and fish. Otters are also regularly sighted on the river.

Luke Kozak from the Environmental Agency said: "We’re really pleased with the outcome of this project that has improved 300m of channel habitat and created fish passage for multiple species of fish. The improvements mean fish can bypass the 1.8m high Deer Park weir which prevents their passage upstream on the main river."

Subject to funding, the Environment Agency and its partners, plan to carry out the second phase of the project next year. This will involve the reintroduction of gravel to the bypass channel to create fish spawning beds.