THE conservation group Action for the River Kennet is hoping to prosecute louts who throw litter into the river in a bid to keep it clean.

It is calling on the owners of land along the banks of the River Kennet to help identify those who pollute the waters with rubbish.

The new campaign follows River Clean Fortnight when volunteers waded into the waterway that flows through Marlborough and removed more than 20 bags of rubbish from the short stretch through the town centre.

They also dragged out a bicycle, an office chair, a yellow flashing light, a litter bin, a Waitrose shopping trolley and other items.

ARK committee member Val Compton, who organised the river clean, paid tribute to the volunteers who lent a hand over the two-week operation.

She said: "The section of river along the new river walk behind Waitrose has yet to be cleaned out but I am assured that the matter is in hand.

"I extend my thanks also to Kennet District Council for providing the equipment and for being so co-operative about collecting various heaps of rubbish promptly. I feel this was a worthwhile project and assure everyone, adults and children, that their efforts have been very much appreciated."

Kennet officials had provided litter picker sticks, black bin liners, and heavy duty Kevlar gloves.

Mrs Compton said: "We now want to bring about prosecutions of people who throw stuff into the river and are asking the owners of the land along the length of the river through the town to co-operate with us to do so and to help keep the river clean."

Townspeople have been invited to see the work of ARK on Saturday October 5, when it will hold an open day from 2pm and 5pm.

Interested parties are asked to meet outside Marlborough Tiles factory at the end of Elcot Lane and walk about a mile downstream to Werg, near Mildenhall. Dogs are not allowed.

Jack Ainslie of ARK said: "This stretch is particularly interesting as the next phase of the rehabilitation project will start here in October."

He said that the river is very broad in many places along that stretch, meaning the flow is too slow. Pollution from various sources and the lack of good quality weed has added to the problems. Mr Ainslie said: "It is the only poor stretch of river we've got now."

Thames Water's Kennet rehabilitation team has already started work on the situation and visitors to the open day will be able to see what is wrong and how it is going to be put right.

Transport will be available at Werg Mill to ferry people back to Elcot Lane.