An unusual birthday present has helped a nine-year-old boy to clean up a Watford river.

Stevie Wells, who lives in Woodside, asked for a strong magnet for his birthday on June 3 to take part in the “magnet fishing” craze after watching videos online of people casting for objects in rivers and lakes.

The Mount Pleasant Lane pupil went with mum Bobby to Cassiobury Park yesterday (June 4) to try it out, where they found a heavy DVLA clamp and multiple rusty nails in the River Gade.

Watford Observer: Nine-year-old Stevie said: I’m very proud because now children and dogs are safer to play in the water.Nine-year-old Stevie said: I’m very proud because now children and dogs are safer to play in the water. (Image: Bobby Hanna)After removing the items from the waterway, Stevie said: "I’m very proud because now children and dogs are safer to play in the water."

The trend has grown in popularity in recent months and a couple in New York made headlines over the weekend after they found a safe with approximately $100,000 in cash in a park pond on May 31.

Bobby said the craze was a “win win”, adding: “It is a family activity that doesn’t cost a lot, tickles our instinct at discovering the unknown and cleans up our waterbeds.”

The mum of three said was “proud” of her son who is interested in the environment and keeping rivers clear.