SCHOOLS and community groups in Gwent are being urged to get involved in a campaign to help improve water quality in their area.

The Yellow Fish campaign aims to stop people pouring oil, paints, solvents or chemicals into surface water drains or gullies on the side of the road.

Anything poured into these drains ends up in rivers and streams. Many people are unaware that these materials can poison fish and wildlife and smother plants – and because of the way these contaminants spread, it takes only a tiny amount to harm the waterenvironment.

The campaign will see pupils and community groups painting stencils of fish on pavements near drains to raise awareness that anything poured in will come into contact with wildlife.

The campaign, funded by Environment Agency Wales and organised by Keep Wales Tidy, runs from June 25 to July 8.

For details, visit www.keepwalestidy.org or e-mail yellow.fish@keepwalestidy.org