Rare aquatic plants are to be given space to thrive along the Montgomery Canal at a new wetland habitat at Wern in Powys after it was opened in a ceremony by Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr MP Steve Witherden.

Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, has created the new conservation area, just off the A483 near Coppice Lane, as part of the UK Government-supported restoration of the canal working in partnership with Powys County Council with support from the Montgomery Canal Partnership.

The canal is recognised as a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its rare plant life. The new reserve includes a 1.5-metre-deep pond, connected to the canal, that will accommodate floating water-plantain, a protected species of aquatic plant that is found in the area, and also potamogeton, a pondweed that benefits wildlife. It’s one of two sites that are being proposed along the canal to provide the environment required for the rare plant-life, and valuable habitat for other species and wildlife such as wildflowers and birds.