Work has finished to improve a picturesque riverside walk.

Braintree Council has spent £158,000 on laying new paths along Halstead’s River Walk, beside the River Colne.

It now stretches a further 960 metres from Chaffinch Way to the Parsonage Street Allotments, connecting to all the existing footpaths.

The improvements began in June 2011 and the cash for the work came from Section 106 agreements made with developers building in Halstead.

Walkers and cyclists now have better paths and there are new play and picnic areas and wildlife habitats.