SCOUTS who were trying to do a good deed by clearing rubbish from the River Kennet in Marlborough upset nesting birds, claims naturalist Linda Harris.

Miss Harris, whose George Lane home backs onto the river, said the sound of the boys and girls splashing about in the river on Friday evening frightened the birds away.

However, Scout leaders have dismissed her claim as untrue that the children were allowed in the river unsupervised.

One of the 2nd Marlborough Scouts leaders Brian McClintock said: "The Scouts were accompanied and supervised by grown ups at all times."

Mr McClintock, whose daughter was one of the Scouts taking part in the clean-up operation, said he was staggered to hear of Miss Harris' claims made in a letter to the Gazette.

He said: "I would say to her that if we did not clean the river then a lot more ducks would die from eating the plastic bags and lead weights we removed."

Scout leader Andrew Eastland said the boys and girls were under adult supervision constantly and were never in any danger.

Mr Eastland said the Scouts thought they were carrying out a community service by clearing rubbish dumped in the river. "We have done it loads of times before without any complaints," he said.

Mr Eastland said the boys and girls removed at least ten plastic sacks full of rubbish from the river plus some supermarket trolleys and parking cones.

In her letter to the Gazette Miss Harris said: "Branches along the riverbank were broken and the noise and splashing about frightened off all the birds, including nesting ones.

"I know one pair of coots has not returned to their nest."

She added: "Any good the Scouts did by clearing litter was cancelled out by their later stupid actions."