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Work to strengthen Derby's flood defences in the area around Derwent Street and Exeter Place have led to concerns that a number of plaques and specially planted commemorative trees have been, or could be, lost as the work progresses.

The latest phase of the Our City Our River project which is intended to stop a one in 100-year flooding event from overwhelming the city centre, has led to large parts of the area around Derwent Street, including the former NatWest bank, being reduced to rubble and huge mounds of earth obliterating what is usually a scenic footpath alongside the river Derwent towards Meadow Road.

The latest works have also led to concerns being expressed a recent meeting of the city's Conservation and and Heritage Advisory Committee (CHAC) as to what has happened to the four plaques and two trees which line the river bank path.

CHAC member historian Maxwell Craven said: "We raised the question of the fate of the three plaques set up along the bank of the Derwent, between Exeter Place and Meadow Road - including two associated trees.

"The response we got was a complete blank and I am concerned that there is a complete unawareness that they are even there.

"People need to know if they have been destroyed, left in situ or taken away for preservation."

The plaques in question include one from Derby Civic Society, together with a tree; a Royal Society of St. George commemorative tree and plaque to mark the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, planted in 2005; and the Rotary Club of Derby golden anniversary plaque from 1968.

Ashley Waterhouse, chair of Derby Civic Society, said he had been down to the river bank and it was very difficult to see anything along the path with all the work that was going on.

He said: "I understand from speaking to a contractor on the site that one area has been covered with black tarpaulin. It would be nice to think that these are where the 'missing' plaques are that people are concerned about."

A city council spokesperson said: "The plaques remain in their original position in the riverside area behind Exeter House.

“While this location is currently within the contractor’s working area for the ongoing Our City, Our River works, the plaques are undisturbed and there is no intention to relocate them."