A CLEAN up day organised by British Waterways backfired when a dumped tin of paint spilled into the canal as it was being loaded onto a skip boat.

The paint, believed to be tar based bitumen, fell into the Worcester to Birmingham Canal between Blockhouse and Sidbury locks.

Throughout this week members of staff at British Waterways are being joined by volunteers to go along canals in the area to pick up litter and improve the environment.

British Waterway's Communications manager Clare Bampton was cleaning up with volunteers from the Diglis Canal Forum.

"I wasn't around when it happened but I believe the paint fell into the water as it was being passed onto the rubbish boat," she said.

The Environment Agency and Droitwich based Briggs Environmental Services were contacted to clean up the spillage for the half gallon of paint.

A flexiboom, a snake-like device which circles and gathers a spillage was used to corner the paint which was then scooped out of the water.

The canal had to be closed to prevent the paint from spreading after the spillage at about 2pm yesterday, and was re-opened at 6.30pm.

"We are very grateful for the patience of the boaters, including ones who were stuck in the lock at the time," said Miss Bampton.

No flora or fauna had been harmed by the spillage.