Several thousand wetland plants have been planted in a bid to improve water quality.

Waterway charity Thames21 dug deep to plant 3,900 wetland flowers, grasses and reeds in Salmons Brook and its tributaries.

The river is badly polluted by chemicals and heavy metals washing off roads when it rains, and properties with misconnected plumbing for household appliances, sinks, showers and toilets.

Aimee Felus, Salmons Brook healthy river challenge project manager, said: “It has been very satisfying to see the rainscapes created, with help from wonderful local volunteers.  The plants are starting to thrive and grow strong.  By next summer the wetlands will be lush pollution busters, also bringing new wildlife to the area. The streams of the Salmons Brookwill face a much better future with more rainscapes like these. ”

Ian Russell, senior flood engineer at Enfield Council, said: "These projects demonstrate the effectiveness of working together with local communities and making the most of natural processes to improve Enfield's watercourses.  The council are pleased to support the Salmons Brook Healthy River Challenge project and hope to extend this approach to other catchments in the borough."

Two more rainscapes will be created as part of the Salmons Brook Healthy River Challenge with the wet woodland on Houndsden Road to be restored and a former council tree nursery next to the A10.