SCOTLAND'S biggest river clean will return to the Borders this weekend.

The annual Great Borders River Clean will see communities across the region come together to clear waste from Borders waterways and riverbanks from Friday, May 27 to Sunday (May 29).

The founder of the river clean and GreenTweed Eco, Tom Rawson, said he has big plans for this weekend's event.

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Mr Rawson, who is a teacher at St Mary's School, Melrose, said: "I started the Great Borders River Clean a few years ago with the idea of involving as many people in as many communities as possible to help clean our region’s waterways of rubbish and pollution.

"We have been incredibly successful on both fronts with more than 2,000 volunteers clearing over 10,000kg of rubbish from the Tweed system."

The river clean is a large project which gets hundreds of volunteers from the community involved, from more than 20 towns and villages along the Tweed system.

As well as the river clear, Mr Rawson has launched a Borders primary schools eco competition.

The aim of the competition is to encourage local youngsters to get involved with keeping the region free from litter and pollution.

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Mr Rawson said: "This month, I really want to engage young people.

"Children are the future guardians of the natural world and enthusing and inspiring them to care for the wild spaces around them is crucial.

"I have therefore raised £500 as a prize fund to reward those primary schools that actively take part in the Great Borders River Clean and undertake art, writing or other projects inspired by it."

Further information, including the confirmed meeting points and times for the Great Borders River Clean, can be found at: www.greentweedeco.org/projects