THE CONDITION of the River Wharfe at Otley is improving, according to divers who carried out an under-water litter pick.

Members of Guiseley Sub Aqua Club found less rubbish than they were anticipating and also discovered fish in the water.

Volunteers were expecting to fill a skip with garbage as they had done on a previous dive 12 years ago.

But they were pleasantly surprised to find a decreased amount of litter and an increase in the number of fish.

Instructor Rob Higgie said: "It went well, we retrieved much rubbish including two children's scooters, push bike, Sainsburys trolley and road sign. The good news is that we noticed many more fish in the river compared to last time and the amount of the rubbish retrieved was less than 12 years ago.

"The presence of fish indicates that the state and condition of the river is improving and the reduced rubbish is either due to the Boxing day floods of 2015 washing rubbish away or the public are not throwing as much rubbish in the river. The jury is out on that point."

The underwater litter pick next to Otley bridge was carried out at the beginning of October to help protect marine biology.

The event was paid for by the Greggs Foundation with the money charged for plastic bags by the bakery and sandwich chain.

Rob said the sub aqua club had put in an application for funding from the foundation and had been given a £500 grant to clear rubbish from the bottom of the river.

"The plastic bags that end up in rivers go into the sea and they cause no end of problems for marine life," he added.

The Guiseley club carried out a underwater litter pick in Otley 12 years ago and filled a skip with the garbage they found.

Before the latest dive Rob said the problem was one which affected rivers across the country.

"If you dive into any river it really is shameful what you find down there," he said.

The British Sub Aqua Club says litter is a growing problem in our seas and on our beaches.

It says: "The disposal of litter at sea, in rivers or on beaches can have a devastating impact – marine life faces a deadly obstacle course of discarded litter, causing the death of thousands of birds, seals and turtles."

One Otley resident who saw the work being carried out praised the divers for their efforts.

Pauline Garner said: "I would like to pass on many congratulations to Guiseley Sub Aqua Club, who undertook the clean-up and to Greggs, via their charge for plastic carrier bags, for supporting this endeavour. While we watched, a couple of children’s scooters were recovered, many tree branches and a number of plastic items, but we were pleased to be told that the river bed was actually very clean. Maybe a sign that the plastic carrier bag charging law is contributing to our environment in more ways than we realise."