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THE environmental activist who has led the work to clean up the River Cray and improve its biodiversity, is moving on to pastures new.

Ashe Hurst, co-ordinator of Bexley’s Thames21 riverkeepers scheme is relocating to Norfolk to become a fishery manager on the River Bure.

Mr Hurst first became involved with trying to improve the River Cray in 2001, as a member of the Cray Anglers Conservation Group.

The volunteer group of anglers began work to clear some of the rubbish they encountered in the river during their fishing activities.

Waterways charity Thames21 got onboard the efforts, and in 2004 Mr Hurst was employed full-time by the charity to expand and co-ordinate its river keepers scheme in Bexley.

But Mr Hurst was far from being just an administrator and could be found up to his waders in cold river water most weekends and some weekdays.

He was also involved in projects such as one with the Wild Trout Trust to improve conditions in the Cray which will allow wild native brown trout to flourish in the river.

Under his leadership local volunteers, including youth groups and residents, have spent hundreds of hours removing thousands of tonnes of rubbish from the river, its banks and tributaries at all times of the year.

Thames21 estimates since March 2005, the volunteers’ efforts have improved cleanliness of the River Cray by up to 92 per cent.

The scheme has also won awards from Bexley Council and News Shopper’s own Green Guardian award in 2009.

Crayford councillor Melvin Seymour said Mr Hurst and his team had done a great job. He added: “He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Hurst thanked everyone for their support.

He said: “The greatest reward is to see the beautiful results from the years of hard work which I know have been worth every moment.”