RESIDENTS and groups have been asked to share their plans for a forthcoming annual environmental project.

The Big Dee Day is one of the biggest community and conservation based events in North East Wales and North West England and has been a well-established, annual event since 2007, for which Flintshire, Cheshire and National Resources Wales are key stakeholders.

Covering the coastline and tributaries from Talacre to Chester and Llangollen and north Shropshire, the Big Dee Day is much more than a large scale litter pick.

It is estimated more than 12 million tons of plastic, from bottles and bags to microbeads end up in our oceans every year (greenpeace.org.uk) and the River Dee, its estuary, river banks and marshes have the potential to capture a significant amount of plastic.

In Flintshire, hundreds of people take part every year working hard to clear rubbish from the river embankments and beaches collecting hundreds of bags of litter as well as sprucing up the special places along the River Dee’s banks, coast and catchment area. Their efforts are coordinated by the council's countryside rangers who take the opportunity to work with many community groups, schools and numerous businesses including Tesco, Airbus, Kingspan, ENI, and many others.

This year’s event will be launched on September 13 and will mark the beginning of a week of clean-up events along the River Dee and its catchment area in Flintshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and Wrexham.

Flintshire Council has called on members of the public to share their plans for supporting the day.

A spokesman said: "Are you part of a community group? Do you already take part in Big Dee Day each year and intend to do so again this year?

"Is this the first time on board with the Big Dee Day? If so, let us know where you will be and what will you be doing. Together, let’s all make a BIG difference to our Dee this year, for #BigDeeDay."

Cllr. Carolyn Thomas, cabinet member for streetscene and countryside services. said: “The River Dee and its estuary is a marine environment of regional, national and international importance and it is vital that we all understand the threats it faces from waste materials, particularly plastic, and what we can do to combat those threats.

“The Big Dee Day is dedicated to highlighting the magnificent, but fragile marine environment of the River Dee and the need for it be respected, valued and protected.

“We can now look forward to this year’s events and make the River Dee a nicer place for all.”

Anyone seeking information or wishing to share their Big Dee Day plans can contact Flintshire County Council’s Countryside Rangers on 01352 703900 or via social media (@Countryside&Coast).