Jamie Oliver is set to welcome two families of beavers to his Essex country estate in a bid solve local flooding issues.
The celebrity chef, who resides with his family in an Elizabethan manor house in Finchingfield, already has a pair of the semiaquatic rodents - which were introduced onto the Spains Hall Estate shortly after they moved in three years ago.
The Eurasian breed pair, affectionately known as Woody and Willow, have since had two babies.
Now, a £350,000 project is underway to create two new 50-acre enclosures that will see two new beaver families introduced at Finchingfield Brook in the new year, reports MailOnline.
It is hoped that the new enclosures, which are both 10 times the size of that constructed in 2019, will allow the beavers to help weather the changes brought on by climate change.
The animals are well known for building dams, which slow river flows and redirect them into new channels and wetlands.
Earlier this year dam work by Woody and Willow slowed the release of retained water, which protected local wildlife during a period of drought as Britain basked in record temperatures.
Archie Ruggles-Brise, Spains Hall Estate manager, told the publication: "The chance to bring more natural engineering skills to the estate is beyond exciting.
"Since 2019 we've seen what beavers can do to reduce flood risk, increase drought resilience, clean water and create year-round habitat for wildlife. Now, thanks to the incredible support of our partners, we can supersize these benefits.
"With a massive new area to work in the beavers will help make the Finchingfield area more able to weather the changes climate change will bring and all the while providing inspiration and experience that others can use elsewhere."
Meanwhile, Matt Butcher, the Environment Agency's project lead, and Anglian Water's director of quality and the environment, Dr Robin Price also expressed their excitement at the 'wonderful, nature-based solution' to dealing with problems caused by the current climate.
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