Canoe volunteers plan city centre river clean-up

More than 100 volunteers are expected to take part in a series of canoeing events to clear the River Soar of plastic and litter.

The Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre is teaming up with Paddle UK - previously named British Canoeing - for the 2025 Big Paddle Cleanup from Saturday and through the half-term week.

Waterborne litter picks are to be carried out by people from local groups and businesses along the river one mile (1.6km) either side of its Belgrave base.

"Unfortunately all sorts of waste does end up in the river," said Hayley Smitham Hopewell, from the centre.

"We'll be taking people to collect bags of rubbish to try to just make it a nicer environment for us to operate in and to help the wildlife that lives in and around the water."

Paddle UK's Charlotte Grundy said: "We're really pleased to be part of the clean-up up in Leicester.

"We will have people out getting junk and plastic out of the water and from the river banks.

"It has been very popular and all the Leicester sessions have been filled up."

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