A local couple have taken it upon themselves to clean litter from the pathway to Barry Dock station.

Ian and Hayley Howell have spent an hour almost every day in the past fortnight clearing litter from the path and surrounding bushes.

The couple, who have been joined by Barrie Shaw and Millie Collins, were motivated to clean the area after passing through on their regular walking route.

"We usually cut down here to walk along the waterfront. Every time we came down here, we noticed an old bike chained to the fence with a really decent lock, along with lots of litter," said Ian.

"We were always moaning about it, so we decided to do something about it. Do our little bit.

"There's some bits we'll never be able to get to because they're so far in, but we'll clear what we can," he said.

The couple aim to fill a bin bag a day, and have arranged to leave the rubbish at Clemwood Stores for collection, next to the council bin which is emptied daily.

"It's a marathon, nothing is going to be done in five minutes," said Ian.

The abandoned bike that spurred Ian and Hayley into action has finally been removed with some "gentle persuasion" from a pair of bolt cutters.

As well as the bike, drinks bottles and crisp packets, the couple have cleared clothes, shoes and a pile of bags of dog mess.

"There was also a bag of old mobile phones, which was really funny," said Hayley.

"We haven't found any drug paraphernalia or seen any rats either."

Although there are bins at the train station and on Dock View Road, there are none along the pathway between the two.

Since they began cleaning the path, Ian and Hayley say less litter has been left there.

"We do a maintenance sweep before we start each day, and we noticed one cola can, but that was it really," said Ian.

"Other people have offered to help, but we're trying to limit the numbers because of social distancing," said Hayley.

"The main consensus from people is 'well done', but that we also shouldn't have to be doing it."

"We're just trying to make it look a little bit better," said Ian.