MORE than 20 volunteers took part in some balsam bashing in Cockermouth.
The volunteers worked alongside the Rivers Derwent and Cocker, pulling up invasive Himalayan balsam.
The group included members of Cockermouth Civic Trust, the town's allotment and garden society, National Trust gardeners and Sainsburys staff.
Teams of volunteers have been working in the area during the past month. Their work is being spearheaded by Jo McCurrie, who recently started a two-year contract with West Cumbria Rivers Trust and will be focusing on keeping Himalayan balsam at bay.
She is hoping lots of people will join in events being organised through the summer months.
Himalayan balsam is an invasive non-native plant which was introduced to Britain in Victorian times and has since spread widely across the country.
It can grow into a tall (up to 10ft) plant with a pink flower and exploding seedheads, so it spreads easily, especially along riverbanks as the seeds are carried by water.
Other events - in Lorton, Crummock, Threlkeld, Keswick and the Isel area - will be listed at www.westcumbriariverstrust.org.
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