Yorkshire Water is to spend £200 million improving sewers to help keep sewage out of the region's rivers.

The three-year scheme, spearheaded by the company's Buttershaw headquarters, aims to make around 1,000 combined sewer overflows more efficient.

And the firm claims the project will lead to improvements in the quality of river water found in Yorkshire's rivers.

Combined sewer overflows work as a release valve for the sewerage system at times of heavy or prolonged rain.

When the sewers become overwhelmed with rainwater the overflows work to ensure water is prevented from backing up in the system.

The first stage of the investment used high-tech computer modelling to find the right approach for the different overflows.

Nick Topham, in charge of the programme, said: "We have an excellent team of people who are all highly focused and committed to making a difference to the region's rivers.

"Managing the survey, sewer modelling and river modelling work has been a huge task but now the programme is progressing we're starting to see real differences. And this is only the beginning."

The work has now entered its second phase, using the survey results to help tackle pollution incidents by reducing the risk of sewage and toilet related waste - such as soiled sanitary products, condoms and cotton buds - finding its way into the region's rivers and watercourses. Work will be undertaken throughout the county and advertisements will alert people to changes the company will be making.

Mr Topham said: "As we make improvements to the overflows we need to apply to the Environmental Agency for what's called a 'change of consent'.

"This means we will then be monitored to even tighter regulations and the overflows will have even less impact upon the rivers."

The scheme will tie in with Yorkshire Water's £75 million three-year scheme to improve Bradford's sewage system.

That project will upgrade the large water mains which run roughly around the city's ring roads, create better storm overflows to prevent waste running into waterways and improve water quality at the Chellow Heights Treatment Works.