YELLOW plastic ducks will be racing on Bolton's River Croal at the weekend to help launch a group that will provide young people aged 16 to 25 with fun and enjoyment through volunteering.

To start the ball rolling, groups of "vteam" volunteers will be cleaning the River Croal in Queen's Park, Heaton, on Saturday ready for the arrival of real ducks in the spring.

In the afternoon there will be plastic duck races down the river with a chance for volunteers to have fun and raise funds for the club and other good causes.

Graham Brandwood, one of the organisers, said: "The river is badly in need of a clean-up and we hope to encourage and enlist the help of young volunteers in a major clean up operation on Saturday morning.

"In particular, we will be concentrating on the area from the weir down to the bridge on Chorley Street."

The aim of the vteam is to involve more young people in volunteering and help the local community.

The Bolton group is part of an independent charity launched to champion young volunteering in England.

The clean up runs from 10am to 1pm and the duck racing will be from 2pm to 3.30pm.

l Anyone who would like to find out more about the group and get involved, should ring Graham or Nicola on 01204 540136.