A NEAR £3 million scheme to revive the rich history of the River Wye is underway.

Well over 1,000 visitors went to the recent launch of Overlooking the Wye, at Goodrich Castle, to see what lay ahead.

The activities were hosted by many of the partners involved in the 40 projects to improve and promote historic sites within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Projects planned range from exploring the Wye’s industrial heritage to outlining its influence on artists.

Several of the 42 sites linked to the scheme – which runs the length of the lower Wye valley – will see conservation work.

The work will go on over three years and costs £2.8 million, with £1.9 million of that sum coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the rest being found through project partners.