VOLUNTEERS are needed to help in the Hoghton Bottoms River Clean Up.

For the 11th year running the Darwen River Initiative (DRI) will clear litter and debris from the River Darwen at Hoghton Bottoms tomorrow .

The initiative to prevent pollution coming down stream, is one of a series of River Valley projects established by the Mersey Basin Campaign to focus its aims and objectives onto specific water catchments.

The persistence of one of the DRI volunteers, Carol Price, was recognised recently when she won a Unilever Dragonfly Award. She received a trophy and £1000 towards the river improvement project of her choice, for her outstanding contribution to the work of the Mersey Basin Campaign.

The campaign is a 25-year Government backed partnership and aims to, improve water quality by 2010 so it can support a healthy fish population, develop waterside environments and encourage people to value water environments.

To help at the clean up volunteers are to meet at 10am by the footbridge of Valley Road in Hoghton Bottoms or for more information about the DRI contact 01772 877392.