A recent clean up of the River Wandle organised by the Environment Agency uncovered a mountain of junk more suited to a car boot sale.

Household items such as bikes, chairs, toys, a hoover, carpet and mattresses were just some of the items pulled out of the River Wandle on September 9.

The clean up also yielded a traffic cone, shopping trolley, batteries, bottles and cans.

In Victorian times, the River Wandle was extremely important for local industry and supported 90 mills by providing water.

In the Sixties, however, it had become so polluted that it was declared a sewer.

Now the river is being restored to its former health, with clean ups taking place through the Wandle Trust on the second Sunday of every month.

Along with removing rubbish, charity staff aim to improve the water for birds, fish and the local population.

Environment Agency Officer Mike Denbigh said: “Throwing rubbish into the river has far reaching environmental impact.

“Not only is it illegal, but it can also harm fish and other river life, and even increase flood risk for that area should the rubbish block the channel.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Wandle Trust should call 0845 092 0110.

Environmental incidents can be reported on the Environment Agency’s incident hotline – 0800 80 70 60.