Avon calling The women leading the fight to recognise rights of the river

In a shallow valley populated by reddening ancient oak trees, the River Avon snakes along quietly - the grind of Bristol just metres away.

- Jamie Grierson

Despite the falling leaves and temperature, a group of women tentatively step into the 12.5C waters of the Conham River Park in the east of the city for a midday swim - a ritual they all insist is not just a hobby but a way of life.

Conham Bathing, an advocacy group made up of women in their 20s and 30s, has launched the Thriving Avon Charter in a move to raise the profile of rights for rivers.

The move is inspired by campaigners worldwide who have secured legal personhood or "rights of nature" for rivers such as the Whanganui in New Zealand, and in the UK with the Ouse in Lewes and the Dart in Dartmoor.

The group's love for the river and fight for bathing water quality status has been captured in a documentary, Rave On for the Avon, which after a preview run in the south-west may have a national cinema release mid-January.