Glasgow Airport staff have teamed up with the West Dunbartonshire Ranger Service to carry out a massive clean-up operation at a nearby local nature reserve.

The team got to work clearing away willow trees and removing unwanted shrubs at The Saltings, a nature reserve located under the Erskine Bridge at Old Kilpatrick.

The reserve is popular with birdwatchers, cyclists and walkers, and is home to a range of butterfly and bird species such as hawk dragonflies, cormorants, grey herons and oystercatchers, as well as roe deer.

In large numbers the willow trees can be damaging to the local ecosystem because they drain moisture from the earth and limit the growth of other tree and plant species.

If the team of airport workers were looking forward to an easy day away from the office, they were in for a shock. Gillian Telford, from West Dunbartonshire Ranger Service, soon had the team breaking a sweat as they rolled up their sleeves and got to work removing over 40 willow trees from the nature reserve.

Speaking about the clean-up, Gillian said: "As well as being a great day out for the volunteers, the teams are helping us look after our local biodiversity and making the site sustainable for wildlife. It's a win-win situation for everyone – as well as improving the habitat, the volunteers come away with the knowledge that their actions are truly appreciated".

Derek Provan, Customer Services Director at Glasgow Airport said: "The Glasgow Airport team had a great time helping out at the Saltings nature reserve. As a local employer, we were delighted to take part in such a worthwhile community project.

"From our own  perspective, the day was a great team-building exercise and I would strongly recommend that other local businesses support the work of the Ranger Service. It’s extremely hard work but great fun at the same time.”