In a north Shropshire town, volunteers have been able to clean up a popular lake known as The Mere after recent hot weather caused water levels to drop significantly. This summer has been recorded as one of the hottest and driest in recent history, leading to lower water levels in lakes and rivers across the UK. With the lake partially exposed, volunteers have been able to pick up litter more effectively than before. Ellesmere park ranger Lee Fraser has been coordinating with volunteers to remove waste from The Mere. The items collected include bricks, pottery, and even mobile phones. Fraser mentioned that the group has already gathered "five big bucket loads" of litter, which he said "covered half the distance" of the town's promenade. He explained that the team chose to stand in the water this year to better see and collect items, as using a boat last year proved ineffective for finding objects even when they were nearby. Fraser noted that despite recent heavy rains, the lake's water level has only slightly increased since the previous week. He believes it will take a considerable amount of time for The Mere to return to its normal levels. The reduced water levels have made it easier to spot and collect litter, but the long-term recovery of the lake remains uncertain. Local resident Wendy Salter, who has been volunteering for three years, said the type and amount of litter found vary significantly and often come from a large area. She recently discovered a mobile phone while cleaning the lake, highlighting the diverse nature of the waste collected.