'Significant' rubbish piles removed from wetlands
Wear Rivers TrustA significant amount of rubbish strewn across wetlands has been removed by a wildlife charity in an effort to save a habitat.
Wear Rivers Trust said recent rainfall and increased river flows had transported "striking" amounts of rubbish through the River Gaunless and dumped it across the floodplain and wetlands.
The trust said 15 bin bags were filled with debris on Tuesday from an "important ecological area" supporting marsh flora, bird species, and mammals.
The trust said there were "clear signs of otter activity" in the area which was "encouraging" and said it was importance to maintain "clean and healthy" habitats.
Last year, the trust said there was also evidence of otters living on the River Deerness and that regular sightings were a sign of a healthy local ecosystem.
The charity said as water levels receded, the waste had been deposited along the banks and floodplain.
It also said this "provided an important window" to remove it before vegetation grew or rubbish moved further when river levels rose.
Wear Rivers TrustA spokeswoman for the trust said the UK was "seeing more frequent and intense rainfall events, which can increase river flows and the movement of debris throughout the catchment".
While the litter pick "made a significant improvement", the trust said "there was still more work to be done".
"While efforts like this recent litter pick make a clear and immediate difference, ongoing maintenance is important to protect the ecological value of the Gaunless catchment," she said.
Wear Rivers Trust