River Kent clean-up in Kendal recovers over 1,600 items

The work was carried out by a group of roughly 30 volunteers in the River Kent in Kendal.

The annual get-together is a part of wider work done in the community by the 'Save Our Rivers' campaign group.

The work was spearheaded by the 'Save Our Rivers' group (Image: Tom Laws)

A spokesperson from the group explained: "This yearly get together is a chance to coalesce, catch up with old friends and forge new alliances, while engaging in the simple act of removing single use pollution from a place we love.

"The high river levels and combination of scaffolding, fencing and bridges made it too hazardous to take to the water, but we'll be back again next year and we're determined that as many people as possible can get on the water, especially those who haven't seen Kendal from the water before."

Read more: Cumbria man who picks litter from River Kent slams dumping of rubbish | The Westmorland Gazette

The team of volunteers met at Gooseholme Bridge before steadily making their way to Kirkbie Kendal School, removing as much pollution as they could carry.

The efforts led to over 1600 waste items being removed (Image: Tom Laws)

The group thanked Palm Equipment, Pyranha Kayaks, Trash Free Trails, Dan Wilkinson and the Town Council for their support and involvement in the clean-up.

Read more: Cumbria: River litter picker 'never seen so many bottles and vapes' | The Westmorland Gazette

Under normal conditions, the volunteers would have launched a 'fleet of rafts' to reach further across the river but heavy rainfall in the lead up to the event put an end to those plans.

Volunteers come together every year for the clean-up (Image: Tom Laws)

Westmorland and Furness Council thanked the campaigners for their ongoing commitment to looking after the area.

A council spokesperson commented: "Well done to Save Our Rivers and Trash Free Trails for organising a litter pick along the edge of the River Kent in Kendal, which removed 1,600 items of waste.

"Around 30 local people turned out to help collect rubbish, and we were delighted to loan litter picking equipment and to collect the waste after the event."