THE North West Environment Agency has reminded people of the importance of disposing household waste correctly after clearing debris from a river.

The agency posted photos showing rubbish including binbags full of bottles and wrappers which had been cleared from the River Blakewater in Blackburn.

The waste can cause damage to wildlife and can be a costly problem for the agency.

The Environment Agency tweeted: "Do you know where your waste goes? It is important to dispose of your household waste in the correct way #TeamEA have removed a large amount of debris from the River Blakewater in #Blackburn."

For more information on how to dispose of your rubbish properly, visit:gov.uk/topic/environmental-management/waste