SEVERAL shopping trolleys and three bikes were among the plastic bottles, cans and wrappers found by litter pickers on the River Teign.

The group managed to clear dozens of litter bags along the river starting from Newton Town Quay and working downstream.

A spokesman for Friends of the River Teign said the aim of this litter pick was to target higher up the estuary after the last big litter pick in May which concentrated around the estuary shores at Teignmouth and Shaldon.

This was the start of an intergroup joint action for the river, with Friends of the River Teign (FORT), Plastic Free Newton and Action for Climate Teignbridge volunteers joining forces.

While most rubbish comprised plastic bottles, cans and plastic wrappers, the large items including several shopping trolleys and three bikes were earmarked and reported for the Teignbridge Blitz Team to remove.

A spokesman said: ‘On the positive side it was noted by some that the now banned disposable vapes were not seen as on previous picks.

‘Feedback from pickers gave good reasons to repeat this.

‘It is enjoyable exercise, we are seeing the positive difference on the Templar way and Aller Brook footpaths, as well as the social benefits from such a group action.

‘The menace of rubbish being carried out to sea after a high tide will also be reduced.’