ONE of the biggest clean ups to tackle weeds and rubbish in Dover's River Dour has had to be cancelled at short notice following environmental concerns.

Nearly 70 River Watch volunteers had been lined up to pull out weeds and watercress, plus rubbish from the river on Sunday.

But the Environment Agency, who are ultimately responsible for managing the river, feared that removing large amounts of weed and cress would alter the flow of water, and affect a forthcoming project.

River Watch volunteer, Ian Lillford, one of River Watch's longest-serving volunteers, received a phone call on Friday, informing him that volunteers should not get into the river and pull out weeds. This left him no choice but to cancel the clean-up.

He said: "I do understand the Environment Agency are an official body, and their views need to be respected.

"But this has taken a lot of organising. I have spent all my time on the phone, cancelling the 70 people who were due to join the clean up. I also had groups such as Dover Air Cadets and Dover Grammar School involved.

"I am worried that because of cancelling at such short notice, people might not be willing to join another clean up again.

"This was the best chance we had of trying to sort out the river. The trout spawning season starts in November and runs until March, and no-one sets foot in the river during that time, so it will be ages before anyone can get back in the river.

"I just feel like giving up with the whole thing."