ENVIRONMENTAL activists will take the plunge and get engaged to their favourite waterways this week in the lead-up to a mass wedding next year.

The Extinction Rebellion campaign is inspired by campaigner Meg Avon from Bristol, who married the River Avon in 2023 to raise awareness about pollution.

Ms Avon said: “As the UK’s first known river bride, I am so excited to no longer be alone in my role of unconventional wedding bliss!

“I believe that every ceremony is a story — and many ceremonies of similar intention have the power to change the law.”

Activists will become engaged to their chosen body of water — whether it is rain, river, lake, sea, or puddle — on Sunday and commit to marrying it on World Water Wedding Day on March 22 2026.

In Worthing, this will take the form of a water commitment ceremony on the beach, with similar events planned across the country.

Ned Evans, a 60-year-old teacher from Holmfirth, will be holding a ceremony at his local reservoir, Winscar.

“Water for me means life, and I find it heartbreaking to see how much our pollution is damaging water and wildlife, so I’ve decided to join the World Water Wedding campaign and commit to protect water,” he said.

Pollution in Britain’s waters has reached staggering levels. Research by Surfers Against Sewage estimates that there were 994,499 sewage discharges into rivers and other waterways last year.