A group of employees from the Nelson branch of a building society have begun clearing up East Lancashire’s Rivers as part of a volunteering scheme.

Marsden Building Society launched its new volunteering leave scheme to help local communities.

To launch this initiative, 14 colleagues from the society teamed up with the Ribble Rivers Trust to tackle overgrowth that was encroaching on the pathways at Primrose Lodge in Clitheroe.

Ellie Schenk, volunteering and conservation officer at Ribble Rivers Trust, said: “Ribble Rivers Trust would like to give a huge thank you to Marsden Building Society for braving the weather and providing some much-needed people power to spruce up Primrose Lodge in Clitheroe.

“Teaming up with local businesses is really important in helping us achieve our goals, whilst engaging with local communities and sharing our love for rivers.”

The team helped at Primrose Lodge in ClitheroeThe team helped at Primrose Lodge in Clitheroe (Image: Marsden Building Society)

The building society’s employees are now entitled to take two days of paid leave per year to volunteer for causes close to their hearts.

Rob Pheasey, chief executive at Marsden Building Society, said: “Leaving a lasting and positive impression on the communities we serve is a core part of our values, which is why we’re excited to launch our new volunteering policy.

“The team day at Primrose Lodge was the perfect way to get the ball rolling.

"Everyone enjoyed not only giving back to our community, but also getting to know colleagues from different departments across the business.”

This scheme is one of many launched by the society to better serve local communities and adds to last year’s announcement of the Marsden Building Society Charitable Foundation which donated £60,000 to grassroots groups in Lancashire.

It also launched an affinity savings account earlier this year which makes annual donations to Pendleside Hospice, Trinity Hospice and the North West Air Ambulance.