CANOEISTS in Abingdon took to the water on Saturday to pick rubbish from the Thames.

Starting and finishing at Abingdon Lock, they were aided by land-bound volunteers who collected the rubbish and also litter picked along the banks.

More than 50 people of all ages took part, between them collecting 59 bags of rubbish and enough bigger discarded items to fill half a large skip - including bikes, a shopping trolley and a plastic bin.

Oxford Mail:

The event was organised by Kingfisher Canoe Club, AbiBinit and Abingdon Cuts Plastic.

Anne Smart, from the Abingdon Cuts Plastic group, said: "We weren't expecting to find that much rubbish but were surprised by how much was in there.

"There was enough to fill almost 60 bags plus half of a very big skip."

Oxford Mail:

She added the group planned to litter pick again in the new year.

The event was done in conjunction with national campaign Surfers Against Sewage, and was one of than 400 affiliated clean ups over the weekend.