Rishton canal was left spotless after a community event cleaned rubbish, furniture and an old canoe from the water and banks.

Saturday’s event was attended by 31 volunteers aged from three to 84, and included Coun Ken Moss and representatives from local churches, environmental group Prospects, the Great Harwood and Rishton Rotary Club and the police cadets, The volunteers worked from 12.30pm over three hours to remove 20 bags of litter, and hauled out larger items including flytipped scooters and bicycles.

Rishton Canal View Cafe provided complimentary tea and coffee for volunteers and the Canal and River Trust sent three members of staff with their workboat to assist the operation.

Organiser Stephanie Clarkson, 27, thanked the volunteers and said: “People just wanted to come and serve in their local community. A lot of them use the canal on a regular basis and wanted to see it cleaned up.

“Throughout the afternoon there was a great sense of community spirit with people connecting over a common purpose.

“We can all play our small part to make our communities the best they can be.”