MEMBERS of Bishop Auckland Canoe and Kayak Club have done their bit to clean up the countryside with a litter collection session on the River Tees.
Enjoying perfect weather, water levels and the low vegetation growth, members spent a full day cleaning up just a small section of the River Tees from Hurworth to Neasham.
Fifteen bags of rubbish were collected containing nearly all plastics, bits of plastic sheets, plastic bags, builders bags and shredded bin bags wrapped tightly around tree branches. Members also retrieved a mobile phone, various bottles, flower tubs, tyres, a welly boot and shoe, a plant stand, a chair, an old oven, road barriers, and two hooped fishing nets, to name just a few of the discarded items.
The pile of rubbish cleared from the River Tees by members of Bishop Auckland Canoe and Kayak Club
A spokesperson for the club said: "Please think twice before dumping rubbish into our watercourses. It doesn't just get washed away and vanish, it all ends up somewhere and not only looks awful but is also a danger to both our wildlife and river users.
"Thanks to Darlington Borough Council – Countryside and Streetscene for supporting our efforts providing special spring clean bags, stickers for the larger items and ensuring the rubbish is collected promptly so as to not cause any distress to local residents.
"All in all a day well spent. If anyone with their own canoe/sit-on-top is keen to help clean up any other stretch of our River Tees please do get in touch and we'll be happy to provide support. Find us on Facebook."
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