A GROUP of scientists from Barnsley ditched their day jobs for the outdoors to help clear a popular walking spot of one of the UK’s most invasive weeds.

Ten members of staff from Lubrizol, who have offices in Carlton and in Huddersfield, were volunteering with the River Holme Connections charity which is working to conserve and improve the Yorkshire river for the benefit of the area.

The volunteer morning, part of the company’s ‘Building Global Bonds’ initiative to give back to communities around the world, saw Lubrizol employees don waders and clear a large site at Upper House Dike in Huddersfield from highly invasive Himalayan Balsam.

Faiza Mahmood, a chemist from Lubrizol, said: “Some of us were in the river, and others along the side, pulling the Balsam up by the roots.

“It was a really good day.

“We did about a 100-metre stretch.

“When we were leaving the area, some local homeowners came out and thanked us for our work and asked us when we would be back.

“They have been trying to keep it in check too, and I think they really appreciated it.

“It was very peaceful to be working beside the flowing river and it was a very satisfying task.

“Any opportunity we get to volunteer and improve our local environment, we jump at it.”