A PARISH council has taken on the running of a popular canoe launch point on the River Wye.

Walford Parish Council has taken over the Kerne Bridge Canoe Launch point in a community land asset transfer from Herefordshire Council for a nominal fee.

The parish council has since invited companies and groups to put forward proposals on how they would manage the site.

Councillors will now consider the proposals and look to choose a preferred development partner to invest in the facilities and work with the parish council to manage it.

Catherine Murray, parish council clerk, said: "There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes to look into the best way to maintain the site, which is a very significant launch site on the River Wye in a very beautiful location."

She said although no plans have been approved, the council would like a management system put in place to resolve some of the issues currently faced.

She said: "Large canoe operations turn up at the site in vehicles with many canoes. There are no timings or management in place to control the launches."

They are also considering adding a picnic area at the site and considering introducing parking charges, similar to other locations in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

She added: "The revenue from the parking could be put back into managing the site and improving the site."

But she emphasised that no decisions had been made at this point. They hope to choose a preferred development partner by the end of March.