Divers throw themselves into pool clearance

Divers have plucked 68 traffic cones and 31 shopping trollies from the watery depths of Brayford Pool in the centre of Lincoln, along with some more unusual objects.

Around 30 volunteers from Divenutz took part in a cleanup operation to raise money for a charity which looks after waterways all over the world.

In addition to the usual junk they also found a number of men's and women's shoes – presumably tossed in by drunken revellers – plus 28 bicycles, an empty cash box and a pram.

There were also 43 glasses and bottles and 39 road signs.

Clean-up organiser Chris Wilkinson, 40, said: "It is part of Project Aware which looks after waterways.

"People go out and do the reef and things like that but nobody seems to do anything locally.

"As far as I'm aware this is the first time divers have been into the Brayford to clear it up."

Mr Wilkinson, who has been diving for a year and a half, organised the event as part of his Dive Master qualification.

"The logistics of it have been a bit of a nightmare," he said.

"I think it is worth it really, we have had a lot of people come by and ask about it.

"It is to help raise awareness as well because people really don't realise what they are doing when they throw something in here."

Originally intended as a one off project, Mr Wilkinson, who has thrown himself into the project since being made redundant, is now thinking about the possibility of making it an annual event.

He said: "I think it needs doing annually and if the council asked us I think we would say yes."

For the full story see Monday's Lincolnshire Echo.