A new trust is being set up aiming to improve the area around the River Waveney in Diss.

Town councillor Beth Dewhurst has arranged a meeting with representatives of the Environment Agency, Diss Community Partnership and Keep Britain Tidy group on November 1 to discuss setting up a trust, called either the Waveney River Trust or River Waveney Trust.

She said the meeting in the Waveney Room at Diss Corn Hall between 2pm and 4pm would discuss the maintenance and upkeep of the section flowing through Diss.

She added she was particularly concerned about the area of the river behind the Tesco store in Victoria Road, Diss which had become untidy with litter lying around.

The trust may be able to organise litter picking events to keep the riverside clean, she added.

'It seems to have fairly good support I am quite hopeful that the trust will take off. We are looking at the scope in that and how we would like the river to look,' she said.

Her aim was to hold trust meetings twice yearly and she hoped to get about 20 members.

Funding for projects is another big issue and potential cash sources will be discussed at the inaugural meeting.

'We need more assets for the town and I think the river has got to be one of them. Why not promote it as a Diss attraction?' Cllr Dewhurst added.

The river flows easterly through Diss, Bungay and Beccles from its source between Redgrave and South Lopham.