Couple walking the length of the Wharfe to fight for waterways

A Yorkshire couple have challenged themselves to walk 81 miles along the River Wharfe over the winter months to raise awareness of the importance of clean rivers.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

Emmeline and Mark Butler are walking the length of the River Wharfe across the winter months.

(Gerard Liston)

Since the start of October, Emmeline and Mark Butler have been undertaking a series of walks where they test the water quality at varying points of the River Wharfe.

Their aim is to highlight how water quality can be affected by sewage overflows, agricultural overflows, and even litter.

The pair, from Grassington, will finish their challenge just before Christmas near Cawood, where the River Wharfe meets the River Ouse.

Their challenge is part of the World Water Wedding campaign, an Extinction Rebellion initiative which encourages people to pledge to protect their rivers and waterways.