SCOUTS in Bishopthorpe have headed out for a "riverside ramble with a purpose", leaving the banks of the Ouse near their village free of litter.

1st Bishopthorpe Scouts organised a litter pick on the riverbank between the Iron Bridge and Acaster Malbis on Saturday afternoon.

It was the fourth time the Scout group responded to a request from Acaster Malbis Parish Council to clear up litter along the riverbank.

Parish council chairman Gary Taylor said: "I am very pleased that once again the Scouts have done an excellent job in tidying up the riverside and removed some 12 bags of rubbish. My thanks go to them along with their Scout leaders."

Scout leader Matt Probert added: "The Scouts are always enthusiastic and willing to remove litter from the riverbank and the area around the footpath. The sun shone and it was a lovely riverside ramble with a purpose. I am sure that in later life the Scouts will remember their litter picking days by taking their litter home or putting it into a litter bin."

The Scouts were also supported by parish councillor Leslie Frost and her husband Nick, who collected and disposed of the bags of rubbish, and ward councillor John Galvin who got the litter picking equipment from City of York Council, and later thanked them for their work.