The poor state of rivers has hit the headlines across the country in recent months.

Take the River Lim – running through the nearby seaside town of Lyme Regis. The stretch through the town is badly polluted by untreated sewage, and as a result E. coli levels have reached heights that are dangerous for human health.  

Recent campaigning by the River Lim Action Group received local and then national media coverage. The river's infamy even reached overseas, featuring in Le Figaro in France, bringing widespread attention to the plight of the Lim.

Or peer into the River Axe – one of the most polluted rivers in England. The Axe is now in special measures with a plan in place to address the high nutrient and sediment levels which have led to the river being classified as in an "unfavourable and declining condition" by the Environment Agency.

But at the Kit Brook in Chardstock there is something positive to report.

A group of river enthusiasts from the rivers Char and Otter, from as far away as the river Tarrant near Poole, more locally from the Yarty and of course from the Chardstock area, where the Kit Brook flows, donned their wellies to learn about freshwater invertebrates.

These volunteers have signed up to a scheme called Riverfly, which will see them scooping up samples from the river bed and identifying and counting the creepy crawlies that live at the bottom of the river.

Lisette Johnson had come over from Tipton St John to join the training.

She said: "The Eager Beavers environmental group in Tipton already monitors the river water quality of the Otter. Now Riverfly monitoring will add another string to our bow.

"Tipton was affected by dramatic flooding just a few months ago, and it will be good to know how these severe weather events impact on our river life."

And just because a river looks lovely does not mean it is in good shape. 

Paul Spearing is heading up the Riverfly activity on the Kit Brook, and is looking to send a team of volunteers out monthly to build up a year-round picture of the invertebrate life in the river.

He said: "Riverflies are often called the canaries of our rivers. The presence of a vibrant and diverse population of freshwater invertebrates is one key gauge of the health of the river. They are sensitive indicators of water quality."

Vicky Whitworth, chair of Chardstock Eco Group, who was bankside taking photographs of the volunteers with their nets and buckets, said: "We would like to thank South West Water for funding the Riverfly training today. Without financial assistance, training events like this could not take place. 

"On the Kit Brook we have a proactive river restoration project underway supported - we are delighted to say - by the Environment Agency and the Blackdown Hills AONB. Training days like this are part of the mix but there's lots of opportunities for people to get involved in different ways. 

"Climbing into the river isn't everyone's cup of tea so we also arrange river walks, storytelling events, as well as hands on work to restore the river. We always welcome more volunteers."

So what's the verdict on the invertebrate health of the Kit Brook? Sadly, the River Lim has recently been declared 'ecologically dead' due to its lack of invertebrartes, but things are looking more bonny on the Kit. 

Mr Spearing said: "Of course the river has problems with high nutrient and sediment levels at times, both of which are detrimental to the river's health, but today we have found an abundance of invertebrates including the fascinating cased caddis fly, which makes itself a protective coat from the tiny stones and gravel on the river bed."