PENDLE Council is taking to the water to teach youngsters about protecting the environment after more than 30 bags of rubbish were found on the banks of the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

The rubbish was collected from the canal bank in Nelson last week as council officers joined forces with British Waterways and Colne's Outdoor Resources to do a spring clean' of the canal and towpaths.

And now the council is launching a floating classroom to take the message to schoolchildren about the damage litter can cause.

The education project will use the Kennet, a Leeds and Liverpool Canal traditional working boat, as a floating classroom for schools and community groups so that they can learn about the environment.

The project will provide Eco Bags to schools and groups so that they can monitor and record wildlife along a particular stretch of the canal.

Tricia Wilson, the council's Canal Corridor Development Co-ordinator, said: "Ultimately the aim of the project is to encourage people to protect the environment and keep it free from litter which can attract vermin. In the longer term this should help to attract more wildlife to the canal."

In last week's clean up Pendle Council's Community Safety Wardens and the Whitefield Housing Market Renewal Team worked with officers from British Waterways and Pendle's Canal Corridor Project on the tow path, whilst canoeists from Outdoor Resources collected rubbish from the water.

Ms Wilson said: "We did a clean-up with British Waterways this time last year and with the Tacklers' Trails Group the year before.

"It is disheartening to see so much litter appearing at the same spots each time. The worst areas are below the bridges where a lot of fly tipping takes place.

"Rubbish and especially waste food and bread can attract rats which none of us want to see."

Last week's clean-up was timed to initiate the start of the British Waterways Education Project Kennet Phase II which is being funded by Pendle Council's Canal Corridor Small Projects Fund.

Part of the Kennet Phase II will also ensure that more clean-ups with the canoeists from Outdoor Resources will be organised.

To take part, contact Tricia Wilson on 01282 661964.