A sofa, some shopping trolleys and a tin bath are just some of the more unusual items lurking beneath the murky waters of the Regent’s Canal, it has been revealed.

Islington Gazette: Regent's Canal volunteersRegent's Canal volunteers (Image: Archant)

Last week, the Canal and River Trust published the results of a survey conducted as part of its £45 million restoration programme.

Islington Gazette: A tyre dumped in the canal (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images for The Canal & River Trust)A tyre dumped in the canal (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images for The Canal & River Trust) (Image: 2014 Getty Images)

The report included some of the objects people throw into their local canals and waterways to discourage flytipping.

Islington Gazette: London's hidden junk is revealed in Regent's Canal after being drained ahead of vital quarter of a million pound repairs on the 200 year old canal. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images for The Canal & River Trust)London's hidden junk is revealed in Regent's Canal after being drained ahead of vital quarter of a million pound repairs on the 200 year old canal. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images for The Canal & River Trust) (Image: 2014 Getty Images)

It found a typical tennis court-sized lock contained one bike, a shopping trolley, a traffic cone, seven glass bottles, four tyres, 50 plastic bags, 23 cans and three windlasses or lock keys.

Islington Gazette: Litter in the Regent's CanalLitter in the Regent's Canal (Image: Archant)

In the Regent’s Canal alone the trust’s volunteers found tens of thousands of glass bottles, thousands of cans, over 20 mobile phones, 30 windlasses, two shilling coins, a tape cassette player, 70 tonnes of silt, 12 car tyres, several shopping trolleys, several traffic cones, two bicycles, a tin bath, a safe and even a sofa.

Islington Gazette: Litter in the Regent's CanalLitter in the Regent's Canal (Image: Archant)

According to the charity, it costs about £1 million each year to clear the dumped rubbish, which it says could be better spent on improving wildlife habitats and ensuring the waterways are clear for boaters.

Islington Gazette: A shopping basket dumped in the Regent's Canal (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images for The Canal & River Trust)A shopping basket dumped in the Regent's Canal (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images for The Canal & River Trust) (Image: 2014 Getty Images)

Sam Thomas, customer operations manager for Canal & River Trust in London, said: “I’m constantly surprised at what people throw into the Regent’s Canal and the quantity of litter that we retrieve from the waterways in Islington.

Islington Gazette: Tin bath in the Regent's CanalTin bath in the Regent's Canal (Image: Archant)

“Dealing with the problem is a big task and the money could be better spent enhancing the canals in that area for people and wildlife to enjoy for years to come.”