The team of helpers used the canoe to travel up and down the River Dart from Tuckenhay to Dittisham to remove rubbish like disposal barbecues.

The clean up is part of a project to improve the water quality and habitats of the river.

The Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) said it is worried about the impact it is having on birds and animals.

Sian Rees, from DWT, said: "Litter is a persistent problem to wildlife.

"It can be mistaken for food and ingestion can lead to infections, starvation, fatal blockages and the build up of toxic substances. Entanglement in litter also poses a threat to wildlife and can lead to drowning, starvation or suffocation."