VOLUNTEERS are urged to get involved in a river clean-up - which this year is being held in memory of Nat Smith.

Many are taking part in the spruce-up of the River Leven in Stokesley to show their gratitude for his tireless efforts to improve the waterway.

Mr Smith, who was chairman of The Levenside Association and Stokesley River Leven Group, died in July at the age of 75 after developing cancer.

He spent many years working on various community projects and was instrumental in having a new pedestrian bridge built over the Leven.

After several years of fundraising and planning, the £25,000 Jubilee Bridge officially opened on June 1, 2013, and Mr Smith was chosen to be the first person to walk across.

Amelia Ashwell, of The Levenside Association, said: “Nat was always in the river fishing things out. He was a phenomenal gentleman who just had an amazing ability to take on multiple projects and do them well.”

In recent months the picturesque river has been given a new lease of life where it runs through the centre of town.

As well as the new footbridge, a large amount of work has been carried out along the riverbanks by a task force team of prisoners from HMP Kirklevington. They spent several weeks clearing undergrowth, planting, clearing the waterway, repairing fencing and coppicing trees.

But being so near to the town centre it can quickly become cluttered with rubbish.

“We have a beautiful, beautiful river running through our town, but there’s just so much rubbish around,” said Mrs Ashwell.

“Not so long ago we had visitors from New Zealand who said it’s beautiful but what is the problem with England and rubbish?

“That wasn’t what initiated the clean-up, but I stopped and saw it through someone else’s eyes. There’s also been a lot of work on the river and we want to keep it looking lovely.

“We’d like people to come along with bin bags, gloves, wheelbarrows and plenty of energy and cheerfulness.”

Work to tidy up the River Leven in Stokesley has been organised by The Levenside Association and will take place in the town on Sunday, October 5.

A skip will be left where the river meets and leaves the town for people to deposit waste from the riverside.

The clean-up will begin at 10am and people can turn up on the day, or email; davidashwellfoundation@yahoo.co.uk or follow @TDavidAshwellF on Twitter.