FACTORY workers in Stonehouse rolled up their sleeves to help clear two waterside sites in the town as part of the Cotswold Canals Project.

Seven employees of student accommodation manufacturers Unite Modular Solutions generously gave up their spare time to transform the patches of land on either side of the old Midland Railway Bridge.

The restoration of the embankments on opposite sides of the canal just off the A419 Bristol Road near Horsetrough roundabout have opened up beautiful views over King’s Stanley to the Cotswold Escarpment and the historic Stanley Mill.

The team also cleared a great deal of ivy off the railway bridge to help expose its impressive original brickwork.

A separate clear up operation will begin on the bridge in the autumn to wash graffiti off it and plant a selection of shrubs around its base to deter vandals in future.

A decision to try and clear the overgrown site was made earlier this year by Stonehouse Partnership Chairman Jim Dickson, who appealed for volunteers to help organise the project.

He said: "The skill and evident enthusiasm of the Unite Modular Solutions workers was fantastic and helped to drive the clear-up operation forward.

"Both areas now look stunning and have been well received by the local community. "Stonehouse Town Council has a small budget for essentials so we are urgently calling on other small groups to organise similar work to create even more beauty spots along the canal to complement its restoration and that of its towpath and structures."

Anyone interested in joining such a group can contact Jim on 01453 791 182.