River dipping, dragon fly making and free water saving products were on the agenda at the River Ver day in Verulamium Park on Saturday.

The free family fun day was organised by Waterwise and The Rivers Trust, supported by the Royal Bank of Canada under their Bluewater Project.

The aim of the day was to communicate to the community the link between the health of the river and their use of water. St Albans has one of the highest levels of water use in the UK; 173 litres per person per day compared to the national average of 150 litres a day and as a consequence the river is ‘over-abstracted’.

Rob Collins from the Rivers Trust said: “The River Ver is a globally significant Chalk Stream providing habitat for a diverse range of aquatic life but has to share its water with the local population, and the current levels of abstraction mean the river is under threat.”

The day saw a range of organisations come together including The Rivers Trust and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, who showed visitors river life close-up which involved getting wellies on and wading in.

Affinity Water also proved a hit with a number of their free water saving devices being handed out. Other project partners who included; Groundwork, Ver Valley Society, Jacqui Banfield – Taylor River Historian, RSPB and Countryside Management Service and the Park Rangers.

Lydia Dant from Waterwise said: "The River Day was a fun way of showing people the link between their beautiful local river and the water they use.

" By making small changes people can cut their water consumption and protect their local river, its that simple."