Clackmannanshire Canoe Club recently held two environmental clean-up and awareness raising events.

Members of the club and kind volunteers braved the Scottish winter weather conditions to stage the events on successive Saturdays at Gartmorn Dam in Sauchie and at the River Devon between Tillicoultry and Alva.

Activities included teams of volunteers litter picking both on the water in canoes and all the way around the banks of Gartmorn Dam and in canoes along the stretch of the River Devon.

With snow and ice on the ground and fierce gales blowing, more than 30 people turned out at the dam and came together to care for their local environment and protect and clean up the dam.

What made the events unusual was that the canoe club were able to litter-pick and clean up the dam by setting sail on canoes and picking up litter and waste of all kinds from the waster itself.

The canoe club had applied to Scottish Natural Heritage/CSV Action Earth for funding to purchase some all weather canoeing clothing required.

CSV Action Earth awarded the club two grants, one of �500 and one of �250. And so using their new all weather clothing the club was able to set sail on the dam and the river and pick up around two tonnes of rubbish.

Gary Mcara, secretary of Clackmannanshire Canoe Club said, "Many many thanks to the members and volunteers who came along to the Dam and to the Devon in the arctic conditions.

"The events were a great success as you can see from the pictures the mountain of rubbish that was cleaned out of the dam and the river.

"The club feels very privileged to have so many beautiful watercourses in Clackmannanshire to paddle on and we are very happy that we have had the opportunity to help care for our local environment.

"The events were also great opportunities for the club to try out our new all weather clothing and we want to say a big thank you to the team at CSV Action Earth for the grants they awarded the club and for their great assistance and support for our projects".

Clackmannanshire Canoe Club provides opportunities for local adults and children to learn the skills required in canoeing in a safe and fun environment with instruction from local trained and certified instructors.

The club is warm and friendly and welcomes new members of any age. For information please give Gary Mcara a call on 07964 315164 or check out the club's facebook page - clackmannanshire canoe club.