Rock-hugging river jelly lichen (Lathagrium dichotomum) has been found thriving along the River Sprint, marking a significant boost for local water quality. River jelly lichen is a species that won’t compromise on habitat conditions, and they will only live in the cleanest of waters.

The discovery, made by teams from the Environment Agency during a routine ecology survey, is the first ever recorded presence of the jelly-like species in the Kent catchment. This discovery demonstrates how important ecological monitoring is.

In recent years, only one other population of ‘Lathagrium dichotomum’ has been reported along the River Eden, though populations do have a small stronghold in the River Lune and some Lake District still-waters.