VOLUNTEERS are being urged to work off their festive over-indulgences tomorrow by helping to clean up the River Kelvin.

Helpers are needed to drag shopping trolleys and other debris from the river and keep it in pristine condition for wildlife.

Friends of the River Kelvin (Fork) are offering a barbecue set as a reward for the hard work.

The West End organisation meets once a month to clear debris from the river banks left by litter louts and fly-tippers.

Spending Saturday trudging through mud might not be everyone's idea of a good time, but for Mike Kurtyka it has become an important part of his family's routine.

Mike is the group's convener of practical conservation and, with his wife and three children, takes part in the clean-ups.

He said: "We live near the Botanic Gardens and saw a poster for Fork, so we decided to join.

"The first time we went out we found a fire extinguisher, shopping trolley and office chair down at the river bank and the kids absolutely loved trailing through the mud.

"It was like a treasure hunt for them because you just don't know what you'll find."

The clean-up will be followed by a barbecue at Ha'penny House.

Keeping the Kelvin free from rubbish also aids the eco-system. The group saw a cormorant fishing in the river - a sign the water was clean and full of fish - and a kingfisher was also recently spotted.

Tomorrow's clear-up begins at 10.30am at Ha'Penny House and is open to non-members. For more information visit www.fork.org.uk