42 bags of rubbish collected from River Don in blitz on blackspot

Volunteers from South Tyneside Council and the Tyne Rivers Trust got their hands dirty to blitz the area near Primrose Nature Reserve.

The action was part of a nationwide British Big Spring Clean event which took place on March 10 - week later than first scheduled due to the bad weather.

Jenny Elliott, volunteer co-ordinator with the Tyne Rivers Trust said: “We were quite shocked at some of the things we were finding.

“There was a lot of general rubbish, crisp packets, bottles, cans but we also found toys and half a bath dumped in the river.

“We collected 42 bags in total along with half a bath. Despite the weather not being as good, we did have quite a successful day. We also had residents coming down and joining us.

“We are hoping to organise more clean ups in the area, which will make the area a much better place for people to visit.”

Tyne Rivers Trust is an independent environmental charity dedicated to improving and protecting the River Tyne and its tributaries by working with communities.

For more information on the Trust and to register an interest in helping to take part in a clean up email [email protected] or call 01434 636 900.