THE north bank of the Thames is looking cleaner and more environmentally friendly thanks to the efforts of 20 volunteers.

Yesterday (Sunday, 6 September) Grays Beachcomber volunteers spent a couple of hours in the sun collecting waste plastic and other rubbish from along the river front.

They collected 26 sacks of rubbish which included over 220 single use plastic bottles that would otherwise have been washed back into the Thames.

They also collected a number of empty drinks cans that will be used to help create an art installation known as a "Mandala," as part of this year's T100 festival.

After the volunteers finished their hard work they were treated to a well deserved bacon sandwich and a drink at the Lightship Cafe - the cafe in Grays Beach Park.

Chair of the Riverside Community Big Local, Andy Blakey, said: "Around the world eight million tonnes of waste plastic make their way into our seas and rivers. Those plastics break down and end up being consumed by fish - much of which we eat.

"The work of the Grays Beachcombers is one small way of raising the profile of this issue as well as helping improve our local environment. I want to thank every one of them for their hard work and the Riverside Community Big Local is pleased to make sure they all get something to eat and drink afterwards."

The Grays Beachcombers meet on the first Sunday of the month, 10.30am outside Thurrock Yacht Club.