ENVIRONMENTAL group Transition Stourbridge is celebrating the return of wildlife to the River Stour.

The eco group has staged regular working parties to help clear rubbish from The Stour near the Lion Health centre - and dedicated volunteers believe their efforts are paying off.

Having completely cleared the area of discarded shopping trolleys and used tyres - group members recently noticed fish swimming in the now fast-flowing waterway, dubbed the 'forgotten river', and they also spotted a kingfisher.

Transition's Roseanne Adams said: "It's incredible to see nature returning to this stunning wildlife corridor we have right in the heart of Stourbridge."

But she said the recent floods have resulted in more rubbish making its way down stream and she is urging people to take more pride in their area

She said: "We need to get the message across and tell people not to dump rubbish in the river."

A display of pictures of some of the junk fished from The Stour in a vacant shop window in Stourbridge High Street proved "very successful" but she stressed: "We need to keep drumming it home.

"People need to be made aware it's an offence to dump rubbish in the river; it's the equivalent of fly-tipping."

She is urging people to "please pick it up" if they see litter in the river to help keep Stourbridge green and tidy "not just for us but the wildlife as well".

Anyone interested in joining Transition Stourbridge can check out or https://transitionstourbridge.co.uk or email rosanneadams@yahoo.co.uk.