Even as the weather gets colder, environmental crusaders will be out collecting litter and keeping our wildlife healthy and happy.

The Big Clean 2016 campaign has been encouraging members of the public to get out and clean up their communities for the past six months.

Making the most of the mild October weather we are having, the Big Clean campaign will team up with Cumbria Wildlife Trust to clean up another part of one of our beautiful nature reserves.

Amy Hopley, a marine trainee at South Walney Nature Reserve, will be organising a series of beach cleans throughout the autumn and early winter months and running workshops with community groups and primary schools to introduce a project called The Waste Beneath our Waves.

Miss Hopley will lead a big clean this weekend on Sunday October 23. Those who would like to join her group of volunteers can meet at 10am at the car park at Foulney Island in Roa Island Road. Miss Hopley said: "We have decided to target Foulney Island next after one of our wardens came back and said that it was in a bit of a state. We also want to make sure that we cover as much of Walney as possible.

"Most of the rubbish that is found on that beach is stuff that people leave behind such as cigarette lighters, straws, bottles and even flip flops. However, we also find a lot of offshore litter that has washed up there such as rope and old boots."

Miss Hopley will also be holding a workshop with the primary school children at St Paul's School in Barrow. The pupils at St Paul's have already been involved in this year's Big Clean campaign.

Foulney Island doesn't need to be kept clean just for its human visitors, Miss Hopley said: "Foulney Island is also home to a lot of wildlife. At this time of the year it is especially great for seeing wading birds. It is a great place to go bird watching, but I would recommend to anybody visiting for that reason to check the tides before they come.

"We will welcome everybody, including children, at the beach clean this Sunday. I would just ask that all wear sturdy boots as it is a shingle beach."

For more information on this week's clean email: amyh@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk or to get involved with the Big Clean campaign in another way email: gabrielle.rowley@nwemail.co.uk.

READ MORE:

Wildlife at risk from dangerous plastic litter

Copeland Borough Council works with BBC to crackdown on flytipping

Big Clean and nationwide campaign delighted about weekend beach action on Walney

National marine charity's annual beach clean plea