A double world record holding environmental activist is appealing for volunteers to help get rid of plastic waste.

%image(14924219, type="article-full", alt="Lizzie said: The huge response to the issue of plastic pollution has spurred me on to run more clean ups this year." Pic: LIZZIE CARR")

Lizzie Carr needs helpers to join her at the Limehouse Basin which links the Regent’s Canal to the River Thames to clear the waterway of plastic pollution.

The cancer survivor is holding clean ups in 12 spots across the country this summer targeting some of the country’s most polluted waterways.

Lizzie said: “The huge response to the issue of plastic pollution has spurred me on to run more clean ups this year.

“By getting involved, people are able to try a new activity, meet like-minded people, and get fit, but above all fight the global issue of plastic pollution choking our waterways.”

%image(14924220, type="article-full", alt="Double world record holding environmental activist Lizzie Carr is appealing for volunteers to help get rid of plastic waste. Pic: LIZZIE CARR")

Adventurer Lizzie became the first person in history to paddle board the length of England’s waterways solo and without support in May 2016.

She completed the 400-mile journey in 22 days taking more than 2,000 photos of plastic pollution she came across.

A year on and ready for another challenge, Lizzie was the first woman to solo stand up paddle board across the English Channel, a record breaking seven-hour long crossing drawing attention to plastic pollution in the oceans.

She also launched Plastic Patrol a nationwide campaign to tackle the 80 per cent of debris in the sea coming from streams, rivers and canals by stopping the problem at its source inviting the public to join her at free clean ups.

Anyone who wants to paddle board must reserve a time via the websiteplasticPatrol.co.uk

No experience is necessary. For landlubbers there will be an opportunity to clear towpaths. The organisers said people are also welcome to bring their own canoes, kayaks or paddle boards for the event running July 28 and 29.

Plastic Patrol scooped extra cash, technical and business support earlier in the year from Geovation, a project for start ups run by mapping agency Ordnance Survey.

The boost followed an invitation from Geovation to submit ideas that would build greener communities.

As a result a Plastic Patrol app for people to report plastic pollution is being developed.