Free cruises for eco-warriors

Eco-warriors in Exmouth are set to be rewarded for their efforts with a number of free cruises.

On Saturday April 25th volunteers will be getting their hands dirty to help clean up one of the region's nature reserves and one cruise company, Stuart Line Cruises, has stepped forward to offer them some reward.

The clean up of the Exe Estuary is being organised by the Exe Estuary Management Partnership. Environmental volunteers will convene at 13:00 local time BST at the Imperial Recreation Ground and spend until 15.30 local time BST on the sand banks.

Essex Mussels will be helping to collect litter, as in previous years, and organiser Jenny Lockett expressed her gratitude to all those who had already signed up for the day.

Jurassic Coast Divers will also be doing their bit by plunging into the waters off Exmouth Pier and retrieving pollutants, while the Environment Agency has sponsored the event.

Ms Lockett said: "This will be our fourth clean up in two years and hopefully our biggest and best so far.

"I really love leading the events and seeing everybody come together to improve the estuary.

"It only takes a couple of hours to make a massive difference and it is a great chance to meet new friends, catch up with other volunteers met at previous events and do your bit for the estuary."

Cruises for volunteers will take place the day after the event, departing from Exmouth Marina at 14:00 local time. The cruise liner will traverse the waters volunteers helped to clean up the day before.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, chair of the Exe Estuary management partnership and executive member for the environment for Devon county council councils are lowercase, said: "The Exe Estuary clean ups are an excellent opportunity for the local community of the estuary to get together and work to improve the environment and safety of the estuary.

"It makes a valuable contribution to managing the estuary and gives people both responsibility and ownership of this rare environment."

Stuart Line Cruises specialises in boat trips around the Jurassic Coast, in the south-west of England.

The cruise company runs bird watching excursions, speed boat trips and group party services.

The Jurassic Coast [is] the name commonly given to the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, which was England’s first World Heritage Site.