Volunteer divers help with river clean

Volunteer divers have been helping to clean up the River Great Ouse in Bedford. About forty people took part in the two hour river clean and litter pick, which took place behind the Borough Council offices in the town centre this morning.

The council organised the event to coincide with World Rivers Day, an international celebration of the river that aims to increase public awareness of the need to take care of our waterways.

Volunteers from various local groups took part, including Bedford Sub-Aqua Club and the Viking Kayak Club, together with the Environment Agency.

The water was too murky to see, so divers scanned the river bed with their hands then pulled items up and handed them to volunteers. Some of the heavier items had to be pulled out using ropes.

Staff from a local McDonald's restaurant also helped with the litter picking, and provided volunteers with vouchers for free food.

The tens of items pulled out include:

• 25 whisky bottles

• 5 traffic cones

• 3 shopping trolleys

• 2 stereos

• 2 bikes

• 2 cash boxes

• 1 pram

• 1 wire waste basket

• 1 electric wood cutter

• 1 beer mug

• 1 teapot

• 1 road sign