MORE than 200 bags of litter - including a fridge and a bath - were collected by volunteers from a local beck.

Carpets, a mattress, scrap metal, children’s toys and Christmas decorations were among the mountain of rubbish collected from the Bull Greave Beck area between Clayton and Scholemoor in Bradford.

Dozens of wet wipes and plastic bottles were also found in a clean-up by volunteers from Friends’ of Bradford’s Becks and a group from Aire Rivers Trust .

“All these items have a detrimental effect on the landscape and sewerage system and increase risk of flooding to properties further downstream,” said Nick Milsom, community engagement officer with Aire Rivers Trust project DNAire.

“The area has suffered from persistent fly tipping and littering for many years. It is an important waterway and natural habitat suffering from neglect."

He added: “A number of local residents joined in or stopped by to show their appreciation of the work we were doing,”

Bull Greave Beck was recently the focus of Aire Rivers Trust's #OurCleanRiver campaign, while today’s effort continued the work started a few weeks ago

The litter and debris collected from the site was hauled up the steep-sided valley with the help of the Bradford Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Team.

Apart from several large items still to be removed, the area has - for now - returned to being a peaceful bluebell woodland filled with birdsong.

Volunteer Robert Hellawell said: “As a volunteer participating in the clean-up, I have been infused with a great feeling of satisfaction and empowerment that, after a decade of waiting to get stuck in to Bull Greave Beck, I have been able to contribute to such an effective end.”

Barney Lerner, Chair of Friends of Bradford's Becks (FOBB) added: "We are very pleased with the joint effort to improve Bull Greave Beck.

"Now FOBB will be focusing on water pollution over the summer, finding places where pollution is getting into the various becks. There is plenty of scope for volunteers to join in for as little as an hour during June to August - no skills needed."

For more information and to get involved contact bradfordsbecks@gmail.com.

Aire Rivers Trust run weekly clean-ups and riverside improvement volunteer days every Thursday and Friday. Meeting places vary between Bradford and Craven.

Details of all events and how to join can be found on its website at aireriverstrust.org.uk/upcoming-events-and-walks/

*Aire Rivers Trust coordination and support for this event is funded by the Developing the Natural Aire project. (DNAire). This project will see Atlantic salmon returning to the River Aire after 150 years of weirs blocking their path. It is a £2.35m joint project by Aire Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency using funding from the Environment Agency, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Yorkshire Water and Craven Council.

It has seen the construction of fish passes at Saltaire and in the Kirkstall valley together with an extensive programme of walks, volunteering, and placements for young people to celebrate the return of salmon and care for the River Aire.

To find out more visit dnaire.org.uk/