VOLUNTEERS are needed to help in a major clean-up of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

A barge will travel from Diglis Basin to Blackpole collecting litter from the canal banks, towpath and the water. On board will be a number of recycling banks so that some of the litter collected can be recycled.

The operation is part of the month-long Rubbish? Sort It! campaign, spear-headed by the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust and supported by British Waterways and the city and county councils.

The campaign began last week with the aims of raising awareness of recycling and the problems caused by litter.

"The canal is one of Worcester's great assets and we are working hard with British Waterways to make the entire length of the canal litter free," said Mark Driscoll, the Trust's project manager.

"The more people we can get to help us, the better."

The barge was launched by Cecil Duckworth, who founded the Trust in 1998, the Mayor of Worcester, Coun Allah Ditta and Coun Derek Prodger, who is the city council's cabinet member for keeping the city clean, green and safe.

Anyone interested in taking part in the canal clean-up for just a couple of hours can contact the Trust on 01905 734934.