A CHARITY which aims to raise awareness of the "pollution crisis" facing UK rivers is calling for a mandatory catchment-wide plan to save the River Wye from "irreversible" environmental damage.

Campaign group River Action (RA) - whose advisers include former Undertones frontman Fergal Sharkey and environmental journalist George Monbiot - says a new ’Nutrient Management’ plan must be enforced throughout the Wye region to stop the pollution of the river by "intensive agricultural practices", which it says has proven to be the prime cause of the increase in the level of phosphates in the river.

Launching its ’Plan to Save the Wye’ on Tuesday (November 8), RA called for a halt to the creation of any new intensive agricultural units, and the installation of mandatory "river buffers" to separate water courses and agriculture.

It has also demanded the removal of chicken manure from the catchment, and the allocation of additional funding from Westminster and Cardiff governments for its enforcement.

A statement said: "The adaptation and implementation of such a plan would effectively establish one of the UK’s first catchment-approach environmental protection plans for a major river system, thus creating a precedent for other river catchments which are facing similar levels of severe environmental distress."

The action comes amid growing concern about the "eutrophication" of the water caused by phosphates and nitrate run-off from chicken farms located up-river in Herefordshire and Powys, as well as damage from the discharge of sewage by water companies.

Evidence submitted to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee shows the Wye’s soils are now carrying "an unacceptable surplus" of three times the national average phosphate levels.

RA says that this is widely seen as the cause of recent algal blooms which have "suffocated river life", resulting in the loss of 95 per cent of the river’s ranunculus weed over the last three years.

The group point to scientific studies showing the region’s farmland suffocating with phosphate from spraying hundreds of tons of poultry manure on fields every year, which, added to cattle and sheep manure, leaks into the water and damages the river’s eco-system.

Charles Watson, Founder and Chairman of River Action said: "The River Wye is one of Great Britain’s most iconic rivers.

"The speed and scale of its environmental collapse is a national scandal, as highlighted in the recent Environmental Audit Committee’s report, and one which is indicative of this country’s total neglect of our freshwater environments.

"With many now fearing the river has just a few years left before it is irreparably damaged, it is time for all parties to accept that urgent action is needed.

"While the initiatives of a number of local farmers to reduce phosphate emissions are to be applauded, only a comprehensive catchment-wide plan, backed by uncompromising regulatory enforcement will save the river."