A RIVER clean-up campaign in Holmfirth is set to begin next month.
The new scheme, paid for by Kirklees Council, will see the River Holme being spruced up 11 times a year.
A stretch of the river between Bridge Lane and New Fold in the town centre will be kept clean by specialist crews after appeals from the council's area committee.
The first clean-up is expected in April.
Clr Nigel Patrick said he was delighted that the river and its banks would be cleaned.
He added: "This is the first time the cleaning has been done by the council.
"Previously, it has always been done by volunteers. But it's a pretty mucky and dirty job, so you can have trouble finding people who want to do it."
Clr Patrick said that if the river area was clean then Holmfirth would benefit.
He added: "We need to keep it clean because it's the focal point of the town.
"We rely quite a lot on tourists and if the river is dirty they may not want to come back."
Clr Patrick said the clean-up was part of a wider campaign.
He added: "We've installed new litter bins near the river.
"People shouldn't drop litter. They have no excuse."
