War declared on rubbish in rivers

Britain’s angling clubs are being urged to help clear the mountain of rubbish building up in many of our rivers and tributaries. 

Tagged ‘Treasure Your River’, the charity initiative aims to remove 90 tonnes of litter from the Rivers Avon, Mersey, Thames, Severn and Forth, with plans to expand further. 

The campaign is being run by the Coca-Cola Foundation-funded charity Hubbub, which is reaching out to clubs, organisations and companies to sign up and get involved.

Hubbub’s CEO Trewin Restorick said: “The vast majority of plastics that end up in the world’s oceans are carried there by rivers. Cleaning rivers is one thing, but preventing litter getting in there in the first place is crucial. Our research shows that 81 per cent of people believe businesses should be doing more to tackle the issue. 

“Whether you’re a sailing club, a school, a local business, a charity or a resident, we want to hear from you!” 

The move has already been welcomed by many authorities, including Mark Barrow of Beneath British Waters – who spends lots of his time diving and filming in waterways all over the country.

He said: “I think anything that can be done to try and improve the situation will be brilliant. 

“It’s amazing how little the public knows about the rubbish in our rivers, and it’s crucial to educate people.

“The problem can only be solved with a long-term programme. It only takes a few weeks for litter to come back after it’s been cleared up.

“Angling clubs have to get involved, and if they do it will make a huge difference.”

How you can help to find out more and sign up to the campaign, visit www.treasureyourriver.co.uk