A HAMPSHIRE man is calling for a Southampton river to be cleaned up after finding hordes of shopping trolleys, bikes and safes dumped on its banks.

The litter-strewn patch of the River Itchen between Woodmill Canoe Centre and Cobden Bridge has been branded a river of shame' by the horrified resident.

At 28 miles long the Itchen is one of England's, if not the world's premier chalk streams for fly fishing. It is designated as a site of special scientific interest.

Local canoeist Alan Gibson counted 30 bikes, ten shopping trolleys and numerous safes on the river near the Saltmead estate and is pleading with residents not to dump their unwanted rubbish in the river.

Father of two Alan, 44, of Priory Road, said: "I counted at least 30 bicycles, more than ten shopping trolleys, numerous assorted children's scooters and tricycles, lawn mowers, chairs and lots of other junk. It was truly astonishing. It seemed as if everything that could be picked up had been mindlessly hurled into the river.

"I've lived in Southampton all my life and it's disgraceful. I was brought up not to throw a packet of crisps away let alone bikes and shopping trolleys. The council do come and clean it up but it's not their responsibility. It is the responsibility of people not to do it in the first place.

"People fish, row, sail and walk along this river. Herons, swans, grebes and ducks live on it. Why should a few selfish people be allowed to ruin it?"

A specialist team from Southampton City Council clears this section of the river annually but the man in charge of the team claimed the dumping might be a result of criminals dumping safes in the area.

John Martin, city cleansing officer at Southampton City Council, said: "Last year when we cleaned up there were three or four safes as well as lots of bikes and shopping trolleys in the river. I can only presume that it's the result of some kind of criminal activity.

"But the last thing we want is someone getting stuck in the mud trying to clear some of the rubbish. It's really dangerous as there is a 20ft drop on to mud and we have to clean up when the tide is out. We have a crane and people with harnesses removing the rubbish on wooden boards that are laid down over the mud."

A police spokesman added: "If the council refers the findings of the safes over to us then we will investigate where they have come from."

A clean up of the river is planned in May and anyone wanting to report fly tipping should contact the council's Action Line on 0800 5191919.