Burnt out boat wrecks and waste that have blighted the shoreline near Teignmouth were finally cleared up last week.

In an operation overseen by Teignmouth Harbour Commission, wreckage along the training wall at the bottom of the Ness and the mess of waste and burnt-out boats by Shaldon Bridge were removed.

‘Huge thanks to Gilpin for their hard work and the support, patience and understanding of you all,’ said Teignmouth Harbour Master Rob Parsons. ‘More to come on the clean up as we progress,’ he added.

Friends of the River Teign (FORT), which campaigns as the voice of the River Teign, welcomed the news. ‘It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep our river clean and tidy,’ a spokesperson commented.

Earlier this year, FORT volunteers picked up a variety of waste including a frying pan, trailer wheels and a plastic parrot, in a weekend litter pick along the lower banks of the river. The group is planning more clean up events later in the year.

The river bank by Shaldon Bridge was a complete mess of broken boats and waste before the clean-up
The river bank by Shaldon Bridge was a complete mess of broken boats and waste before the clean-up (Jo Bowery / MDA)
The riverbank by Shaldon Bridge after last week's clean up operation
The area by Shaldon Bridge after last week's clean up operation (Contributed)