The RSPCA and Friends of the Freshney volunteer group joined forces to help clean up the River Head, with the assistance of NELC we removed over 1.5 tonnes of rubbish from the Riverhead.

The clean up took place between 10.30am and 2.00pm on Thursday 15 March.

The RSPCA is often called to attend incidents where wild birds are tangled in or injured by litter and hopes that the new initiative will prevent this from happening in the future. The Society also hopes to raise awareness about the problem of the harm that litter can do to sea and river birds and animals. Last year the RSPCA were called to 48 incidents involving wild birds and 10 involving mammals in the Freshney area alone.

At least 10 of Lincolnshire’s 13 RSPCA officers travelled from all over the county to join forces with volunteers from the Friends of the Freshney, some concentrated on the riverbank, while others went out in boats to remove rubbish from the river.

The Friends of the Freshney have already cleaned up other parts of the river, and hope to make the area a better place for wildlife, as well as for local residents. Organiser Chris Scott said: “I am thrilled that the RSPCA are helping us to raise awareness to the problems associated with littering. The River Freshney is a haven for many different species of wildlife, often they are the first to suffer through the actions of a few thoughtless people. With the RSPCA’s help we have made a great difference to the area”.

RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Becky Harper said: “Litter is by far the biggest source of danger to water birds and, by tidying this area up, we hope people will be encouraged to keep it free from rubbish.

Everyone can do their bit for local wildlife in future just by taking litter home with them.

How you can help:
• Fishing line can strangle - take it home and cut it up
• Hooks and line can gouge - take fishing hooks home
• Plastic can holders can choke - cut them into pieces
• Plastic bags can suffocate - tie a knot in them and dispose of them properly
• Broken bottles can cut - take all glass to a bottle bank
• Balloons can kill if eaten - avoid balloon releases and cut up used balloons
• Tin cans can trap - take the lids off, put them inside and pinch the opening shut
• Recycle any litter you can
• Don't buy products with unnecessary packaging.