BRIDGWATER residents are being invited to volunteer to help clear litter along the canal and towpath with a community action group in the town.

Rage Against Rubbish organises canal cleaning events from the YMCA in Bridgwater and are calling for people to volunteer for its last litter pick of the year on Saturday, December 7.

Dan Perry from Rage Against Rubbish said: “What a year we have had.

“So many new volunteers throughout the year and great to see our regular volunteers also continuing to support us.

“We have had an amazing amount of support from the local community for our monthly litter picks and would like to thank each and every one of you.

“We are always calling for more volunteers as the more hands we have the more litter we can collect. As this is our last litter pick before Christmas, Father Christmas hats, reindeer ears or festive jumpers are all welcome.”

The litter pick will take place between 9.40am and 12.30pm from the YMCA in Bridgwater and will follow the canal to the end of Taunton Road.

Mr Perry added: “We are advising everyone to wrap up warm and also wear waterproof clothing if you’re planning to be on the water.

“At our last litter pick in November we found a motorbike frame, a children’s toy house, clothing as well as the usual rubbish of drinks cans and glass bottles and the obligatory bike and scooter. Our litter picks are definitely making a difference.”

Rage Against Rubbish was formed by Dan Perry, his 10-year-old son Riley, Sarah Johnstone, Jason Winter and Trev Vass, all kayakers, who regularly paddle along the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal.

They were fed-up with seeing vast amounts of rubbish and discarded items in the waterway.

Mr Perry continued: “We would love to see more people on the water and the YMCA are kindly offering us their double kayaks and Canadian canoes and life jackets for people to use free of charge.

“There are a limited number available so if people would like to use one for our next litter pick, please visit our website and fill in our boat booking form.”

The Inland Waterway Association Somerset volunteers support the litter picks by supplying volunteers and a flat work boat with on-board rubbish, storage containers.

The IWA volunteers also dispose of the rubbish removed from the canal and towpath.