GRAYS Beachcombers will be out and about in the borough later this week for their latest clean up operation.

The group of volunteers will be working with Friends of North Thames Estuary and meeting up and collecting rubbish, under social distancing guidelines on Thursday (19 November), but because of restrictions places will be limited and people will be working at distance from each other.

The meeting point is the old St Clement's Church, West Thurrock, RM20 4AL at 10.30am and the pick will run until 1.30pm. If you have your own equipment, picker, hoop, gloves, face mask and sturdy walking shoes, you are asked to take them.

Organiser and River Action Clean-Up Facilitator Steve Catchpole says: "We will be walking at least three miles collecting river rubbish along the Graffiti Wall – Limited facilities available – seven places still available. During these strange times pre-booking is critical. Do not attend unless I have confirmed your places."

You can contact Steve by email at [email protected].

Other forthcoming events advised by Steve include:

Saturday, 21 November – Friends of North Thames Estuary – meeting at Wharf Hotel, Wharf Road South, Grays, RM17 6SZ – 13:30 to 15:30. If you have your own equipment, picker, hoop, gloves, face mask and sturdy walking shoes, please bring them. Walking at least one mile collecting river rubbish along the Thames foreshore – Limited facilities available – 14 places available.

Sunday, 6 December – Friends of Grays Beachcombers – meeting at Thurrock Yacht Club, Grays RM17 6JF at 10:30 until 12:00. Foreshore tidy. If you have your own equipment, picker, hoop, gloves, face mask please bring along with sanitising hand wash. – Limited facilities are available – 0 places available.

Tuesday, 15 December – Friends of North Thames Estuary – meeting at Tilbury Fort, Tilbury RM18 7NR – 10:30 to 13:30. If you have your own equipment, picker, hoop, gloves, face mask and sturdy walking shoes, please bring them. We will be walking at least 1 mile collecting river rubbish along the foreshore – Limited facilities available – 8 places still available.

Sunday, 3 January 2021 – Friends of Grays Beachcombers – meeting at Thurrock Yacht Club, Grays RM17 6JF at 10:30 until 12:00. Foreshore tidy. If you have your own equipment, picker, hoop, gloves, face mask please bring along with sanitising hand wash. – Limited facilities are available – 8 places available.

Sunday, 7 February 2021 – Friends of Grays Beachcombers – meeting at Thurrock Yacht Club, Grays RM17 6JF at 10:30 until 12:00. Foreshore tidy. If you have your own equipment, picker, hoop, gloves, face mask please bring along with sanitising hand wash. – Limited facilities are available – 11 places available.