VOLUNTEERS, businesses, the council and the environment agency joined forces for a clean up in Flintshire.

Flntshire Council's Countryside and Coast team, staff of Natural Resources Wales and Clwyd Alyn housing and volunteers of Dee Coastliners - a River Dee conservation and education project - took part in a letter pick on the Holway in Holywell.

The team collected15 bags of rubbish, including a wheelbarrow full of old metal and cable and two pushchairs were removed and disposed of.

More events like this one will be taking place when Big Dee Day kicks off in Flintshire on September 13.

The annual event will see a week-long list of litter picks, bulb plants and various other conservation schemes along the River Dee and its surrounding areas.

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 to 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.”