Join in the fight against plastic and pollution on the River Thames through a new citizen science hub.

Residents of Hammersmith and Fulham are being called on to help protect their patch of the river from litter by training to become a Thames River Watch surveyor this weekend.

A free training day will be held as part of the Thames River Watch project, run by Thames 21, so west Londoners can learn more about the history and health of the river.

People will also learn about how to help help protect the waters by building a unique data of issues affecting the river; how to undertake a litter survey and reporting the findings.

Alice Hall, Thames River Watch Programme Coordinator, said: “This a great opportunity for Hammersmith and Fulham residents to reconnect with their patch of the river, learn about it and get involved in collecting unique data about the issues affecting it.

“Individuals, resident associations, community groups, local businesses can all get involved.”

According to Thames River Watch research around 59% of the foreshore tested was tainted by minute particles of plastic, with 35,000 small plastic particles found and potentially adding to the global microplastics crisis, as well as many cotton bud sticks, wet wipes and sanitary products all adding to the plastic litter load.

The long-term plan is that the borough and its residents will become an important hub for Thames citizen science activity.

Volunteers give up a couple of hours each month to help keep the river clean and healthy.

The Thames River Watch project is funded by Tideway.

The free training day will be held at Dorset Wharf Community Hall, 158 Rainville Road on Sunday (September 4) from 10am to 4pm and again on December 3.

To book a place visit the Thames River Watch - Litter training