A river in the 'most beautiful village in the world' is to be fenced off to prevent tourists from paddling in the water and leaving rubbish, following concerns that it harms wildlife. The village can see up to 20,000 visitors a day at peak times and the amount of rubbish, including bottles and coffee cups, left floating in the river has been described by residents as "unbelievable". The village, home to around 600 people, is popular for its 17th-century weavers' cottages and was made famous by textile designer William Morris, who described it as 'the prettiest village in England' in the 19th century.

A river in the 'most beautiful village in the world' is to be fenced off to prevent tourists from paddling in the water and leaving rubbish, following concerns that it harms wildlife. The village can see up to 20,000 visitors a day at peak times and the amount of rubbish, including bottles and coffee cups, left floating in the river has been described by residents as "unbelievable". The village, home to around 600 people, is popular for its 17th-century weavers' cottages and was made famous by textile designer William Morris, who described it as 'the prettiest village in England' in the 19th century.