VOLUNTEERS joined forces to help in a major clean-up project.

Airbus employees took part in the Big Dee Day 2018 on Friday to clear litter from the banks of the River Dee.

The annual clean-up brings together volunteers from local businesses, schools and community groups in a week-long effort to improve the local environment.

The 28 Airbus volunteers were joined by four employees from construction firm Galliford Try, main build contractor for the Welsh Government’s new Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute (AMRI) currently under construction on the company’s Broughton site.

Starting at the footbridge near Saltney Ferry, the volunteers split into two teams in order to clear rubbish from both banks of the river on the first day of the huge clean-up effort.

Airbus has been supporting Big Dee Day since its inception 12 years ago. Airbus community relations manager Phil McGraa, who joined the volunteers, said: “Big Dee Day is a great initiative that we are proud to support each year and our team of volunteers worked tirelessly today to clear a large amount of rubbish and improve the environment along a stretch of the riverbank.

"Airbus relies on the River Dee to transport its huge A380 aircraft wings from the Broughton factory to the port of Mostyn, where they are then transported by sea ferry for final assembly in Toulouse, so we feel a duty to help keep this beautiful river way looking its best.”

Airbus in the UK continues its commitment to local conservation and sustainability projects, with the environment being one of three core strands at the heart of the company's community engagement policy. Locally, Airbus also supports youth and education projects such as the School Orchard Project with the North Wales Wildlife Trust and the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge programme with local school children.