A FLOATING invasive weed threatening wildlife and natural plants has been cleared from a village river.

The Environment Agency has removed the large patch of floating pennywort from the Dock River in Parkeston, which was close to it’s Essex pumping station.

Floating pennywort is described as an “alien invasive plant” capable of growing up to 20cm per day. It can swamp wildlife and harm habitats.

The work to remove the weed last week involved in-channel reed cutting and moving the pennywort plant with work boats.

Remaining plants then had to be pulled out by hand.

As the landowner of the site, the Environment Agency said it needed to eradicate the weed to prevent it spreading.

Contractors are set to return regularly to remove any regrowth.

Christine Dulake, Environment Agency team leader, said: “Removing the floating pennywort allows native plants and other wildlife to return the river to a balance and allow healthy habitat for fish, water birds and other species.

“It also helps our pumping station operate effectively Floating pennywort was first naturalised in the UK in 1990 as a result of discarded plants from garden ponds.

It can grow rapidly and quickly dominate a river, forming thick mats and impeding water flow.

It can out-compete native species by blocking out light, obstructing air-breathing insects from reaching the water surface and reducing water temperatures.