Residents are invited to an event educating about river pollution caused by the abandoned Threlkeld lead mines.

The Coal Authority and Environment Agency aims to share progress about a proposed mine water treatment plan.

To be held at Threlkeld Village Hall on May 14, the meeting involves two sessions.

Between 2.30pm and 4pm, attendees can pose queries to project team members in a drop-in session, and a formal presentation with a Q&A will follow between 7pm and 8pm.

The Environment Agency's monitoring revealed elevated levels of cadmium, zinc and iron flowing from the Woodend Low Level Adit, polluting 25km of watercourse from Gategill Beck to Bassenthwaite Lake.

This phenomenon is having an effect on aquatic life with zinc levels exceeding safe limits by up to 2,500 times downstream of the mine.

Hugh Potter, WAMM lead for the Environment Agency, said: "The proposed treatment scheme will significantly decrease current levels of pollution, boosting wildlife and improving these local rivers for future generations."

Mark Stacey, project manager at the Coal Authority highlighted Threlkeld's mining legacy, urging locals to share their insights about the scheme.

He said: “Threlkeld has a great legacy of mining, surrounded by the beauty of the wild high fells.

“This project is the next stage in the life of the mine and would enable the Lake District to set an example to communities worldwide about cleaning up the widespread problem of pollution by abandoned metal mines.

"This is fantastic opportunity for us to proudly resolve the impacts of historical metal mining in the Northern Lake District with clear benefits for future generations."

The proposed treatment plan, part of the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines programme, aims to capture the metals prior to entering the Beck, and then put the treated water back into the watercourse.

Approval from the Lake District National Park Authority is needed for the scheme to proceed.