Retired office worker Marilyn says her work with the Bridgewater Canal volunteers is varied, valuable and a great way to spend her time.

After enjoying a day trip along the canal last year Marilyn picked up a  leaflet in a local library about volunteering to help keep it clean and green.

She quickly signed up and has  turned her hand to helping to build benches and bug hotels, plant water plants, bulbs and spring flowers, hack down Himalayan Balsam to encourage other plants to spread and prune bramble bushes so people can better forage for blackberries in autumn.

“It’s something different every time. I love being outdoors, it’s a great way to meet people and do something good and useful,” said Marilyn.

“I’m trying to recruit my friends and other people now!”