A nature project to reset a river has led to an “abundance” of wildlife and better flood protection for nearby homes, the National Trust says.

Rangers from the trust created wetlands on Holnicote Estate, within Exmoor National Park, to slow the flow of the River Aller as it crosses the site. Work was completed a year ago.

The three-year long project to form seven hectares (17 acres) of waterscapes and wetlands with channels, pools, wetland and marshes is a UK first, according to the conservation charity.