BETWEEN 30 and 40 tonnes of waste was expected to be cleared from the River Usk in Newport as part of a big clean up.

The initial clean up started today and concentrated on the riverbanks between Town Bridge and George Street Bridge.

The work will continue until the weekend and is being funded by Newport Unlimited.

Newport Unlimited chief executive, John Burrows, said: “Newport has a higher tidal range in the city centre than any other city centre anywhere in the world. We should celebrate that unique position - but first we must clean up the river and take out the shopping trolleys and traffic cones, fencing, and rubbish and start a new relationship with the river.”