Choked by rubbish

Neil Jeffery, owner of Complete Car Care, believes an entire eco-system is under threat in the Teville Stream, which runs behind his and other businesses in Willowbrook Road.

Mr Jeffery has watched the stream become slowly clogged up with discarded rubbish and a fallen tree, threatening the variety of birds, fish and other wildlife which call it home.

He now wants to organise a mass clean-up of the stream and to restore it to the condition he believes it deserves.

He said: "It's a lovely, lovely area. It needs to be protected and looked after and it's not being looked after.

"I'm appalled it's in this state. I'm an animal lover myself and I do want something done about it. It's a big challenge and I need more people to help."

Mr Jeffery wants people to donate time and equipment in helping him to clear the stream, which has suffered from being close to the nearby municipal refuse tip.

"Any product you use in the home ends up in there" said Mr Jeffery. "Polystyrene cases, every kind of plastic. I've seen bikes in there."

Billy Elliott, from the Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service, said the site had previously been used as a nesting spot by swans and it was a known home for kingfishers, terrapins and other birds.

He said: "Whether we think it's appropriate or not, the wildlife have chosen to be there. They obviously feel safe there and there's a food source.

"It should definitely be looked after."

Chris Bradley, Worthing Council's parks and foreshores manager, said

the council had worked hard to cut down fly-tipping at the area, including erecting a fence by the stream.

He said: "We used to get an awful lot of fly-tipping up there. It's not as bad as it was. We used to get cars dumped in the stream. That doesn't happen any more.

"There's a picnic area, seats where people can enjoy the area. It's a whole lot better than it used to be."

Following a conversation with the Herald, Mr Bradley said he would contact Mr Jeffery to see if the council could help move the fallen tree.

Anyone who would like to support Mr Jeffery's clean-up campaign at the stream should call him on 01903 200010.