ECO group The River Colne Project is heading for a new era.

The Slaithwaite based group has been working to enhance the environment around the river Colne for nearly six years.

But with project officer Mick Smith moving on to new pastures the group has decided to hold a public forum to take stock of past achievements and decide what to do next.

Colne Valley based community groups, landowners and local businesses are all invited to the free event at 7.30pm on October 5 at The Watershed in Slaithwaite.

Mick will speak about the numerous projects delivered and there will be a presentation on the future of the scheme.

Said Mick: “My time at the project has been very rewarding, we have achieved much and had a lot of fun in the process.

“This will by no means be the end of the River Project.

“There are funding bids in to deliver a challenging two year project working with nationally important species found in the Colne catchment.

“The Project won’t solely be working in the Colne Valley, there will also be some projects in the Holme Valley.”

A new project officer will be installed in 2010 and there are always spaces available on the River Projects management group if anyone would like to help steer the project.