Volunteers paddle from Evesham to Pershore on River Avon

The Avondale River Action Group took to the water on Sunday (September 24), paddling from Evesham to Pershore.

As well as celebrating World Rivers Day, the group also took new samples of the water and using an app were able to both get immediate results and add their findings to a national database.

Louise Bugg, who volunteers with the action group, said: “Unfortunately there were no surprises.

“We found consistently high phosphorus levels indicating pollution in the river.

“There is environmental data going back to 2016 and it was bad then, but there’s been an increase since then - it’s a real shame.”

READ MORE: River Avon poor water quality sparks group tackling pollution

Louise said there isn’t just one single solution to solving what is a “very complex” pollution problem.

“We need to put pressure on all parties to work together,” she said. “This isn’t just the job of planning departments, farmers, Severn Trent, the Environment Agency - it has to be a group effort to make an impact on the health of the river.

“We have to build capacity into our infrastructure so we don’t end up having sewage going into the river. We need to do better.

“People don’t want the river to be unhealthy, and this is so multi-faceted. But it’s not impossible to solve it.”

World Rivers Day takes place every September 4 and sees millions of people in more than 100 countries taking part in events to celebrate the world’s waterways.

Events range from stream cleanups and fish enhancement projects to educational outings and community riverside celebrations.

Avondale River Action Group aims to clean up the River Avon so it can be a thriving home for wildlife and a safer environment for people to enjoy.

Volunteers are carrying out monthly samplings, raising awareness of the health of the Avon and attempting to “influence individuals and organisations who have a responsibility for the health of the river or who have a direct impact on river water quality”.