HELPERS braved the freezing weather to do their bit for the environment.

Residents donned wellies and got their hands dirty to help clean up the River Quaggy, at Sutcliffe Park, Kidbrooke, on Sunday.

The volunteers fished out old traffic cones, clothes, prams, dumped shopping trolleys and also helped clear plants and weeds from the park, which acts as a natural flood plain to protect around 600 nearby homes.

The clean up was organised by environmental action group Thames21.

Thames21 co-ordinator Matthew Loveday said: "The days are a great way to make a difference to your environment and make contact with people interested in improving the neighbourhood."