A GROUP of Nordic walkers in Bromsgrove have answered a charity's call to adopt a stretch of canal in Bromsgrove.

Friends of Mercian Nordic Walking has volunteered to help look after the Worcester, Birmingham Canal between The Queen's Head and The Navigation pubs.

The group will pick up litter, carry out minor vegetation work and assist existing volunteers with maintenance works along the stretch of water.

Group owner Ian Northcott said: "We use the canals a lot on our walks and my clients thought it would be a great idea to give something back and so Friends of Mercian Nordic Walking Canal Team was formed."

Caroline Kendall, volunteer development coordinator at the Canal and River Trust, added: "I’m delighted that Friends of Mercian Nordic Walking Canal Team have volunteered their time to help us look after the Worcester, Birmingham Canal.

"We’ve seen how much a stretch of canal can be improved if local people are helping us to look after it and we hope, when people come and visit the waterways, they notice the difference they’ve made."

To join the volunteers email merciannordicwalking@yahoo.co.uk.