'Floating islands' created by Forres firm feature on BBC's Countryfile

A cutting-edge product designed and manufactured by a Moray company has been featured on the BBC's Countryfile programme.

The show, which can be viewed online, looked at community efforts to boost wildlife beside Regent's Canal which winds its way through inner London.

Biomatrix Floating Ecosystems, which is based in Forres, helped by donating some of its 'floating islands' to create an environment in which nature can thrive right in the midst of a city.

After being filled with a mixture of evergreen and deciduous plants, these islands have been positioned upon Regent's Canal.

Above the waterline the raft-like structures act as the perfect haven for pollinating insects and birds.

Meanwhile, the plants' roots dangle down below and absorb toxins from the canal.

The upshot over the past three years is a huge increase in wildlife, with herons, kingfishers and even a sparrowhawk spotted by the canal.

BBC Countryfile presenter Margherita Taylor said: "The ambition to build an eco-system from the water up is working ... the waterway is now teeming with life."

A spokesperson for Biomatrix Floating Ecosystems said: "We are delighted that BBC Countryfile, which has an average viewership of six million, featured Biomatrix Floating Ecosystems in their Canals episode.

"Community groups around the world are revitalising their waterways with Floating Ecosystems and bringing urban waterways to life to create living water cities."

The episode was first broadcast on Sunday, April 11th.

Watch the whole programme here.

The segment featuring the floating islands begins at 42:15, while there is more about the history of Regent's Canal earlier in the show.