AN OPERATION to clear riverbanks of invasive plant species across the North York Moors is now underway.

The Moors National Park Authority is preparing to tackle two non-native invasive species on four key rivers and their catchments – the Esk, Rye, Seph and Seven.

Yorkshire Water has provided £40,000 of funding over four years for a control programme that targets Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam, both of which pose a threat to native plants and animals.

The work to tackle Himalayan balsam is already underway, and the Japanese knotweed programme will start in September.

The plants are escapees from domestic gardens, capable of spreading rapidly along watercourses.

These vigorous species smother native plants during the summer, before dying back in the winter, leaving riverbanks without any stabilising vegetation, therefore leaving them more vulnerable to erosion.

Roy McGhie, conservation projects assistant at the National Park, said: “Although these invasive plants look attractive, they pose a serious risk to the river catchments in the National Park and beyond. “It’s fantastic that Yorkshire Water is able to help us carry out this programme of works.”

National Park staff and volunteers will co-ordinate the survey and carry out any necessary work.