A group of nature charities is urging the UK Government to protect rare chalk streams.

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has joined others in advocating for planning reforms to safeguard these habitats.

Chalk streams, home to a variety of wildlife, are mostly found in England, with Oxfordshire hosting Letcombe Brook and Chalgrove Brook.

Berkshire is home to the Pang, Kennet, Aldbourne, Dun, and Lambourne, while Buckinghamshire boasts the Chess, Misbourne, and Wye.

Currently, only 11 out of more than 220 habitats have any legal protections.

Conservationists argue these measures are inadequate, especially against indirect threats like pollution from elsewhere in a river's catchment and water abstraction for new housing.

There is no official plan to protect or restore English chalk streams, with the future of a 'Recovery Pack’ initiated under the previous government remaining uncertain.

The call for improved protections was made in a letter to Angela Rayner, shadow levelling up secretary, and Steve Reed, shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.

The letter was headed by the Wildlife Trusts and signed by various river, water, and wildlife charities including The Rivers Trust, Angling Trust, River Action, and Wild Trout Trust.

This appeal follows the March for Clean Water earlier this month, which saw over 15,000 people, including charities, campaigners, and celebrities, gathering in London to demand government action to enhance the health of rivers, lakes, and seas.

The charities are advocating for reinforced protections for rare chalk streams and the species that inhabit them.

Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Our chalk streams should be sparkling crystal clear and bursting with life.

"As one of the rarest habitats in the world, they should be the crown jewel of our natural environment, but like all our rivers, they have been let down.

"After years of damage and pollution, now is the time to bring in powerful new protections and action so desperately needed to restore our chalk streams to their former glory."

Steve Backshall, wildlife presenter and BBOWT’s President, said: "Chalk streams are our equivalent of the Amazon Rainforest, home to everything from kingfishers to salmon and water voles.

"But, like every river in the UK, our chalk streams are under siege.

"We need the government to deliver on their new promises to provide vital protection for these extraordinary habitats.

"They need us, they need our efforts, and they need proper rules in place to protect them."

More information can be found online at the BBOWT website.