A local environmental group has been chosen to spearhead an ambitious project to clean up the River Clyde.

Friends of Dumbarton Foreshore were one of 16 groups chosen from over 40 who applied to take part in the Upstream Battle campaign.

Run by charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, the campaign aims to tackle litter levels along the entire length of the River Clyde.

The 18-month programme of initiatives also aims to raise awareness of the problems land-based waste is causing in oceans across the globe.

A spokesperson for Friends of Dumbarton Foreshore said: "We are the fastest litter-pickers in the West.

"We clean outwards from Dumbarton Rock, ancient seat of Scotland’s kings.

"We’ve found all sorts, including a four-foot python.

"We meet every Sunday, check our facebook page for meetings, new members welcome."

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Keep Scotland Beautiful will be providing free specialist training to every group, arming it with the skills to undertake an in-depth litter survey, exploring the behaviours that create litter and build understanding on how to create their own local litter reduction project.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “In order to effectively tackle marine litter, we have to fully understand the amount of litter congregating, the amount circulating and how it is entering our watercourses.

“We welcome the support from communities all along the Clyde for Upstream Battle and the support that these groups will provide.

"We look forward to helping communities across the Clyde area take on the Upstream Battle.”

All of the data collected by the groups will provide insight into the types of litter around the Clyde and the amount of litter that has the potential to enter the river and wider marine environment.

This information will allow Keep Scotland Beautiful further understanding of litter trends and will provide evidence for exploring future prevention methods.

Further information on the Upstream Battle campaign can be found at keepscotlandbeautiful.org/upstreambattle.