On Saturday, July 7, 15 volunteers from the Gala Waterways Group and Gala Rugby Club met at the car park on Currie Road. Undergrowth was cleared beside the Gala Water improving access to 130 metres of the informal riverside path which became overgrown during construction of the Borders Railway. Volunteers with waders removed rubbish from a kilometre stretch of the Gala Water.

The rubbish was mainly iron pipes and bars but included a folding table, two bicycles, two traffic cones, two supermarket trolleys and the basket of a supermarket trolley.

Community councillor Claire Howden said: “We are very grateful to our volunteers for their hard work on a hot day, and to Scottish Borders Council for uplifting all the rubbish.”

The group’s next workparty will be on Saturday, August 4.

For more information on the group contact David Usher on 01896 753620 or email davidjusher@btinternet.com