A water-based litter pick on the Thames will be carried out between Kew Bridge and Richmond in June.

Be Richmond, in partnership with Active 360, are running a stand up paddle board event called Get On Board on June 21.

The event aims to highlight the problem of plastic pollution along the river and plastic will be collected along the way.

Be Richmond Chairman Erick Kervaon said: “Richmond’s beautiful riverside setting is one of the town’s greatest assets.

“A healthy river is important to everyone who lives in, works in and visits Richmond. Our SUP event on 21st June will highlight the issue of freshwater plastic contamination and be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”

Carlos de Souza and Carolyn Newton of the Whale Company will join Get On Board as part of their marathon 300km paddle on paddle boards made out of plastic bottles.

They are raising awareness of plastic pollution in our waterways and delivering a ‘Message in a Bottle’ to parliament.

Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith is supporting the event too; he said: “Rivers play vitally important environmental and economic roles.

“They carry water and nutrients, serve as drainage channels, support wildlife and perform important commercial and recreational transport functions.

“But they also carry pollution into our seas, 90 per cent of all the plastic in our oceans is carried there by just 10 rivers.

“The River Thames is important to everyone who lives, works and spends time in Richmond and that’s why I’m pleased to support Be Richmond’s ‘Get On Board’ stand up paddle board initiative on June 21st.

“The event will highlight the growing problem of plastic pollution in our rivers and will be a great fun event for participants and spectators alike. I look forward meeting everyone on the day.”

Anyone can take part, subject to completing a training session with Active 360. Full details are available at www.berichmond.london/get-on-board/