The day commenced from Conningbrook Lakes Country Park (CLCP) and travelled downstream towards Wye. The group cleared 70 bin bags of litter from the river edge and in the river course itself (with the help of two canoes and a boat). The aesthetics of the park have been vastly improved, not to mention the benefits to the wildlife that uses the river. Vicky Aitkenhead, the CLCP Warden, is very thankful to the volunteers, TCV and KSCP for the help.

It was apparent that the vast majority of rubbish collected was plastic bottles. It highlights the importance of reusing or recycling plastic bottles so they don’t end up polluting our waterways. Many other oddities were reclaimed from the river; a door, traffic cones, many tyres, a chair, a spade and a large number of footballs to name a few! So when you are out and about, we encourage everyone to take their litter home, bin it, or better still – recycle it!

KSCP and TCV will be continuing the litter pick at the Wye end of the River Stour on 22nd April. For more information contact Diane Comley on Diane.Comley@kent.gov.uk . KWT will also be running a litter picking task day on Friday 1st May, to clear the remainder of the river stretch at CLCP and around the lakes. For more information contact Vicky Aitkenhead on 07747608826 or e-mail vicky.aitkenhead@kentwildlife.org.uk