TWO charities are urging people to volunteer to help clean up a canal.

Trust Thamesmead, a community trust, is working with environmental charity Thames21, to clean up the Butts Canal in Thamesmead Town Centre.

Staff from both companies will be removing rubbish from the canal, picking up litter along the pathways, planting flowers and putting up bird boxes.

The clean up begins today (May 19) from 11am until 1pm.

Another clean up event will take place during national Volunteers Week, from noon until 3pm on June 1.

A Trust spokeswoman said: “We would love residents to get involved in the canal clean ups. The more people who take part, the more we will achieve in making Thamesmead a place people take pride in.”

For more information, call 020 8320 4470.