A bike, a toboggan and 18 traffic cones, one of which contained a fish, were just some of the items collected by dedicated conservationists.

Members of the Thames Anglers’ Conservancy (TAC) pulled eight bags of rubbish from the mini-Ha-Ha, a large drainage ditch which runs from Twickenham bridge up to Kew Gardens and parts of Old Deer Park, last Saturday.

Large amounts of invasive Himalayan balsam, a plant that had taken root in the corner of the Richmond Park, were also removed.

Ed Randall, TAC member, said: “Imagine our surprise when a fish, a chub of about 1lb, popped out of one of the traffic cones as we pulled it ashore.

“It was quickly placed back in the water, none the worse for the experience.”

The TAC is a free voluntary organisation dedicated to cleaning up the River Thames.

For more information visit rivertac.org.