VOLUNTEERS joined forces to clean-up a section of river that runs through Coventry city centre.
An eager crew of people turned out, rolled up their sleeves and got to work making the River Sherbourne in Palmers Lane look more presentable.
The stretch of water runs underneath the city centre, but there is an opening behind The Burges that was in need of some TLC.
The area had become very overgrown, a bit unsightly and there was a lot off rubbish that needed to be removed.
Park rangers from Coventry City Council along with representatives from Coventry Business Improvement District (BID), Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, McDonald’s, Royal Bank of Scotland and West Orchards Shopping Centre all teamed up
A total of 25 bags of rubbish were filled during the community clean-up, along with a shopping trolley and overgrown vegetation.
Volunteers also found the time to paint all of the safety fencing around the river and weeded and swept Palmers Lane as well.
Trish Willetts, manager of Coventry BID, said: “It is a lovely little area, full of potential, but it had become a little forgotten and needed some love.
“The hard-working volunteers showed it that and it is now looking lovely and we want to keep it that way.
“I would like to thank everyone who joined in with the event and we hope that we can do many more of these around the city centre in the future.”
All volunteers were treated to lunch at McDonald’s after they had completed the work.
Coun Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The clean-up was a fantastic effort by everyone involved.
“This effort is continuing as we prepare to submit a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve the area around the Burges and the River Sherbourne.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the further transformation and restoration of the area.”
