Work to restore moorland in the Peak District has received a £5.5m boost from the EU Life+ Fund.

The Moors for the Future Partnership, based in Edale, won the backing of the EU to launch its five-year Moorland project, which aims to benefit internationally-important wildlife, reduce flood risks by absorbing downpours, purify water supplies and help to mitigate climate change by retaining carbon dioxide.

The work is due to being in April next year and will cover large expanses of Peak District and Pennine moor between Manchester and Sheffield, including Bleaklow, Shelf Moor, Sykes Moor, Alport Moor, Black Hill, Rishworth Common, Higher House Moor and Turley Holes.

Much of the land is owned by the water companies Yorkshire Water and United Utilities, while the rest in owned by the National Trust and private landowners.

Geoff Nickolds, chair of the Moors for the Future Partnership, said: “This project will have important benefits for communities on both sides of the Pennines in terms of lower flood risks and improved water supplies and we expect it to create up to 40 seasonal jobs and six full-time posts for its five-year duration.”