A YOUNG eco-warrior has demanded a council takes action to clean up the River Colne.

Noah Wilkinson, who is just 11, has launched a petition and campaign calling for Colchester Council to step up its efforts to improve the state of the river.

An increase in azolla and duck weed in the water affected the Colchester stretch of the waterway over the summer leaving it covered in a film of green.

Noah, who is a pupil at Colchester High School, said: “For our holiday in the summer we went to Stratford Upon Avon and stayed next to the River Avon.

“I noticed how clean the river was and that it was being used by many people for boating, fishing and swimming and the water was clean.

"I said to my Dad ‘This is how our river should be’ and he agreed.

“My mum turned to us both and said why not do something about it.”

When Noah got back from holiday, the Clean the River Colne campaign was born.

Noah wants to see the river and riverbanks cleaned, the river maintained and protected for wildlife.

He has also launched a petition asking Colchester Council to take action.

Noah said: “I want to see the council and Environment Agency work together and take time to clean the river.

“By signing the petition people can show they care and hopefully it will show the council and environment agency people want change.”

His dad Simon added:“Stratford had a thriving industry around the river with boating, fishing, paddle boarding, swimming areas etc.

"So looking after our river should be a tourist attraction with businesses using it to offer services.”

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “We look forward to receiving Noah’s petition in due course and also share his concern for the river.

“The council held a public meeting to discuss the River Colne and has agreed to look into funding new ideas to increase accessibility and use of the river.

“Out of this, the policy and public initiatives panel has been tasked with exploring a range of measures, in consultation with users and stakeholders, to increase recreational and other amenity uses of the Colne whilst also protecting and enhancing its fragile ecology.”

To sign Noah’s petition visit bit.ly/2o60mLD.