We're not talking rubbish - our beach is getting cleaner

As part of the Marine Conservation Society's (MCS) Beachwatch beach litter survey and clean-up, the six volunteers; Val and Alan Allison, Janis Bryan, Rebecca Jones and Barbara and John Smith, cleared 764 items from the beach.

Figures comparing the litter gathered in similar clean-ups on the beach over previous years show the number of items per square metre has dropped from 10.37 in 2004 to 6.55 in 2005 and down to 3.82 this year.

John Smith, who organised the survey, said the drop in litter found was at least in part due to the efforts of the Beachwatch volunteers, other volunteers supporting Daphne Fisher, of Arun District Council's parks department, on a voluntary clean every first Wednesday of the month.

Mr Smith said that other people were known to clean up alone and anonymously. He thanked everyone who was involved.

Among the stranger items gathered alongside the usual fishing nets and plastic bottles were a Monopoly hotel game piece and several candles.

Plastic waste formed the bulk of the items collected, 66 per cent of the total. This waste is slow to degrade and poses a threat to wildlife, as plastic bags and fishing lines can be ingested by seabirds and other animals, that can also become entangled.

The MCS has organised the Beachwatch survey since 1993.

Results from beaches all over the country will be used to help tackle the sources of beach litter nationally.

Visit www.mcs.org