1,327 volunteers took part in a world record-breaking clean-up of the River Taff on Friday, March 21, from its source in Bannau Brycheiniog to Cardiff Bay

The Taff Tidy project was organised by former triathlete Kate Strong who came up with the idea for a record-breaking river clean-up.

The triathlon champion told the BBC: "I think we don't talk enough about what we can do every single day to help our rivers.

"Yes, we are organising a world record clean-up event by picking up our rubbish, but the food we eat at home directly affects our river systems, what we flush down our toilets directly affects our river systems.

"So I think we really need to look after our fresh water system that supports life."

Volunteers from schools and communities gathered to clean the riverbanks at eight locations along the Taff at midday on Friday.

Five volunteers were stationed at each spot on behalf of the Guinness World Records team.

An adjudicator from Guinness World Records assessed the evidence gathered from the locations after the event and then declared the result.

The record of 1,327 volunteers was shattered by 998, surpassing the previous record of 329 people who cleaned the River Ganges in India.

Just last year, event organiser Kate Strong walked from the source in Bannau Brycheiniog along the river to the sea with freshwater expert and global citizen Dr Numair Masud on a three-day adventure. During their journey, they discussed the river’s history, legacy, and health, which led to the creation of the Tidy Taff project, focused on its sustainability.

The idea was to unite the communities along the River Taff and collectively set a new world record, a goal that has now been achieved, just six months later.

After the record-breaking event, Kate Strong took to Instagram to say: “I am beyond proud of the 1,327 people who actively cleaned the River Taff on Friday.

“This number didn’t include the 80-plus volunteers who were supporting the logistics and efficient running of eight clean-up locations!

“I am beyond tired and need some time to process the enormity of Taff Tidy, as well as start the legacy campaigns following this clean-up, but I would like to thank everyone for their contribution, in particular Morgan Sindall Construction, Principality Building Society & Simbec-Orion for your roles as headline sponsors, as well as Amber and Green Britain Foundation.

“Keep Wales Tidy, Cardiff Rivers Group, Cardiff Harbour Authority, National Trust, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Welsh Sports Association, Welsh Rowing and Glamorgan Cricket all supported at least one location and brought dozens of volunteers!

“There’s also Surfers Against Sewage, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, Trash Free Trails, Pledgeball and Arup who supported in advice, equipment and volunteers.

“And, where would Taff Tidy be without Numair Masud - the co-creator of Taff Tidy?

“And one personal thank you to someone very dear to me - Justin John - we only met four months ago and he has unquestionably supported me through the moments of doubt, fatigue, stresses and kept me sane and happy!”