ONE hundred volunteers have taken to Chelmsford city centre to perform a litter pick around the banks of its rivers.

Residents of all ages helped and a collection of small boats took to the waterways with the Chelmsford Sea Cadets, Canoe Club and Chelmer Canal Trust all doing their bit.

Local community groups including Chelmsford Lions Club, the Rotary Club, Great Baddow and Galleywood Environmental Group, the Environment Agency and youngsters from Anglian Ruskin University also lent a hand to help keep the city centre clear.

Chelmsford Council’s parks team collected 60 black bags of rubbish, including recyclables such as plastic, glass and cans.

The strangest thing found during the day was a mannequin head. Chelmsford Council’s cabinet member for safer communities, Ian Grundy, joined in with the clear-up.

He said: “It was good to see new volunteers join the loyal team of people who regularly get involved with rewarding community projects such as this. “I hope to welcome them back on a regular basis.

“The areas around the two city centre riverways are definitely staying clearer.

“We are finding less litter on each occasion, so the important message about keeping our city centre clean for everyone’s enjoyment is sinking in.”