Members of the public across Northern Ireland have been encouraged to play their part in the protection and improvement of Northern Ireland waterways.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) will be holding a series of Water Information Days which will provide the public with an opportunity to speak to NIEA staff about draft River Basin Plans to improve the water environment.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said: "I would urge members of the public to attend the Information Days and have their say on the future plans for Northern Ireland waters. It is in all our interests that we collectively take on the responsibility for the care of our water to ensure we get the water environment we deserve.

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"River Basin Planning is about taking an integrated approach to the protection, improvement and sustainable use of the water environment, from source to sea. The plans aim to provide a clean and healthy water environment and to deliver considerable benefits for all the people of Northern Ireland.

"We all depend on our water environment, whether as the source of our drinking water, for recreational use, for agricultural or business purposes and to attract tourists."

The information days are scheduled to take place in:

• March 25 - Helen's Bay: Crawfordsburn Country Park, Bridge Road South, 2-8pm
• April 1 - Ballymena: Ecos Centre, Broughshane Road, 2-8pm
• April 8 - Londonderry: Loughs Agency, Victoria Road, 2-8pm
• April 22 - Portrush: The Coastal Zone, Bath Road, 2-8pm
• April 29 - Irvinestown: Castle Archdale Country Park, 2-8pm
• May 6 - Dungannon: Peatlands Park, Derryhubbert Road, 2-8pm

(PR/JM)