A PROMINENT stretch of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal as it enters Kidderminster will be getting a clean up.

Wyre Forest District Council has joined forces with British Waterways, West Mercia Police, West Mercia Probation Service and the Community Housing Group to organise the three day clean-up and they are looking for volunteers to help them with litter picking, removing graffiti and repainting some areas.

Chris Tudor, environmental protection officer at the district council, is helping organise the event.

He said: “The canal is one of Kidderminster’s most important assets and should be a pleasurable way to enter the town.

“It’s a haven for wildlife, a convenient commuter route and great for leisure and tourism. We want to encourage people to use the canal for these purposes, and deter those who wish to deface them.“

Tony Harvey, West Midlands Waterways general manager, said: “This project is helping to get the wider community in Kidderminster actively involved and the completed clean up works will make a huge difference to the local area.

“The important partnership formed by a number of organisations, will go a long way in helping to keep the canals a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone to use. “

Last year the district council asked people in the town for their views on plans to regenerate Kidderminster and proposals to develop a prospectus for the town’s renaissance.

The project was funded jointly by the district council, Advantage West Midlands, Worcestershire County Council and British Waterways.

The project is now getting underway and there are a series of events planned for September and October.

As part of this, the Kidderminster Regeneration Prospectus has a new name, the Rewyre initiative.

Conservative Stephen Clee, the district council’s cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “The Rewyre initiative is all about partnership working and bringing together the public sector, businesses and the wider community to improve the town.

“There will be a number of high profile complicated projects which will be emerging over the coming months and practical quick win schemes such as the canal clean-up.”

Conservative Tracey Onslow, district council cabinet member for housing and environmental services, added: "This clean-up project is all about reconnecting residents to their canal.

“It is has gone from a key transport route for industry to an almost forgotten backwater. Some issues have been raised about anti-social behaviour and littering along the Kidderminster canal side and we are keen to tackle this.

“The clean-up campaign should provide a good start. Please come along and help out."

The main clean-up will take place on September 22, 23 and 24. Volunteers should meet on the canal at the car park by the Limekiln Bridge just off Clensmore Street, Kidderminster at 11am till 2pm.

Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact the Worcestershire Hub on 01562 732928 or email worcestershirehub@wyreforestdc.gov.uk