Volunteers clean rivers and canals in Ironbridge and Dudley

Dudley Canal and Caverns hope to get more volunteers at other clean-up days

Volunteers have been litter-picking and cleaning up rivers and canals as part of community events to mark the Coronation.

In Shropshire, a litter pick took place along the River Severn in Ironbridge.

Organiser, the YHA Ironbridge Coalport, said people from the town and guests at the youth hostel took part.

And in Dudley, West Midlands, volunteers on a boat removed rubbish from the canal using nets.

Millions of people in the UK were taking part in the Big Help Out, taking on volunteering roles on the extra bank holiday.

Volunteers have been cleaning the canal in Dudley

YHA senior volunteering manager Jamie Wakefield said the aim in Ironbridge was to keep the wildlife and river ecosystem healthy, adding it only took "one piece of litter to be eaten by a bird".

Ahead of the event, he said: "It's about a three-hour trek which is going to be a lot of fun and also dealing with some of the conservation issues that the King is so keen on as well."

Mr Wakefield said they had picked litter along that stretch of river previously.

Volunteers say they want to remove rubbish which can damage wildlife and the environment

He praised the Big Help Out as a way of raising awareness of the benefits of volunteering which he said had dropped off during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Ian Bennett, from Dudley Canal and Caverns, said it was important to "give something back" to the community, adding the group needed volunteers throughout the year, including for clear-up days.

"The canals are our bread and butter. We've got a real passion for them in Dudley," he said.

People also picked litter in the village of Pattingham, Staffordshire, where children had been encouraged to take part.

Angharad, who picked litter with her son and daughter, said she felt it was important for young people to see how they could help out and look after the environment.

"At the Coronation the King talked about service and giving his life and the children need to know about service and how important it is," she added.  

In Staffordshire, charities also promoted their work at an event in Stafford's Victoria Park, the county council said, and the Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme, announced new initiatives, including developing a wildlife haven.

Staffordshire Corps of Drums ACF marched at the Big Help Out event in Victoria Park

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