Volunteers pull on their wellies to help clean up Water of Leith

Published on Friday 3 April 2009 09:45

MORE than 300 volunteers are expected to clean-up the Capital's Water of Leith this month.

Residents are to take to the river banks this Sunday and at the end of April in a bid to improve the river for all residents.

Organiser Nickol Stewardson, community and volunteers officer with the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, said: "The Water of Leith is a tremendous natural asset for Edinburgh. It is a peaceful green space set away from the hectic pace of city life and provides a resource for an assortment of interests and recreational pursuits.

"The water is clean enough to support a big range of wildlife including kingfishers and otters, but it is blighted by thoughtless dumping of shopping trolleys, tyres, cones, a surprising number of bikes – the list goes on."

Anyone wishing to get involved with the clean-up is invited to meet on Sunday at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre, in Slateford, at 10am, wearing old clothes and wellies.

The second clean-up takes place on Sunday April 26, meeting at Bell's Mill Weir, near the Gallery of Modern Art, at 10am.

Each event will last until about 12:30pm when lunch will be provided at the visitor centre and refreshments at the Weir.

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.