Calne Divers cleaned three lorry loads of rubbish out of the river at Chippenham on Sunday ahead of this Saturday’s River Festival.

A dozen shopping trolleys and 25 bicycles were among the junk removed from the River Avon and taken away by Wiltshire Council in time for the Big Swim.

Signs, scaffolding and gazebo parts had also been dumped in the water, along with dozens of scooters, skateboards and a microwave oven.

Six divers from the Calne scuba diving club, based in White Horse Way, spent seven hours sweeping half a mile of the river and used 28,000 litres of uncompressed air in the operation.

They regularly dive to 50m, but said they found this more difficult because there was zero visibility and it all had to be done by touch.

They were helped by four assistants on the shore, as well as two volunteers from Shout Out Chippenham and a helpful bystander.

Club chairman Jon Dodsworth, who took part in the clean-up on the banks of Monkton Park, said: “Actually we normally pull out more than that but this part of the river is less cluttered. Still a good day though.”

Last year when they tackled the area below the town bridge they pulled out 50 trolleys and a bus stop in just five yards.

Activities at the river festival, which takes place on Saturday from 10am to 6pm, include canoeing, rowing and angling. The Big Swim sets off at 3pm from the Sailing and Canoeing Club at Long Close.

The full programme is available at www.chippenhamriverfestival.co.uk

Those wanting to take part in events can do so by filling in a flyer at Wiltshire Council offices or the Olympiad at Monkton Park, or the Visitor Information Centre in High Street.

Calne Divers is offering try-dives to anyone aged over 16. Dives take place at the Calne Leisure Centre on Mondays from 8.30pm. To book, call Jon on 07769 874884.