UK’s Biggest Beach Clean-Up Drive in May

Adults and children are being urged to take part in what is set to be the UK’s largest beach clean-up, as a leading conservation charity warns of the long-term risk to marine life from the huge volume of litter swamping the oceans and being washed up onto shores.

The charity launched a regular annual weekend beach clean in the same year — the so-called Beachwatch Big Weekend. However, this year it is teaming up for the first time with retail giant Marks & Spencer to oversee organized litter-picking sessions at 150 beaches across the UK at the end of May 2012.

It hopes that the current record turnout of 5,000 people could be even bigger as a result of the new collaboration. MCS warns that litter is swamping our oceans where it is largely unseen before being washed up on beaches.

MCS measures it by density, last year reporting nearly 2,000 items of rubbish for every kilometre of beach. New figures are due to be published on March 22.

The May clean-up is part of MS’s environmental initiative Plan A, which saw a 5p charge introduced for plastic bags in 2008, cutting use by 80% and raising over £4mn for charity

As an incentive, customers who register in advance for the clean-up will receive a money-off M&S voucher and a free M&S lunch on the day. Free beach activity packs can be downloaded for children, and at six larger beaches including Heacham in north Norfolk, Hazelbank near Belfast and Cramond near Edinburgh there will be a free barbecue and kids’ games.