Volunteers come together to help keep our beaches clean

Victoria Road Beach, Formby gets a clean up as local volunteers help turn the tide on litter.

A team of local Marine Conservation Society (MCS) volunteers have helped clean 56 bags of rubbish from Victoria Road Beach, Formby on Monday 17th of September.

The event was part of the charity’s Beachwatch project. Led by from Andy Laverick, the 126 volunteers collected and recorded the rubbish along a 500 metre stretch of beach. The data will help MCS identify the main sources of litter on Lifeboat Road beach, Formby and keep the issue of the dangers of marine litter high on the local agenda.

The event was also supported by representatives from the following environmental organisations:

• Sealife Manchester

• RSPB

• Lancashire Wildlife Trust (Red

• Squirrel Appeal)

• Gems In the dunes

• Capturing the coast (Go Coast)

The event was also supported by teams from the following companies:

• Village Vets, Formby

• Elior – Service Group

• Vodafone UK

• Horwich Farrelly

• Thai Union

• Lex Autolease

• Buxton Waters (Nestle)

• Calor Gas Liverpool

• The beach litter survey recorded a staggering 480 kg of waste; this includes 2137

• separate items of plastic. Included in the above total were the figures shown below:

• 598 Plastic / polystyrene pieces: 0 - 2.5 cm

• 326 Packets: Crisp / sweet / lolly (inc sticks) / sandwich

• 224 Caps / lids

Andy Laverick says these beaches clean are vital: “Beach litter isn’t just unsightly; it can also be very dangerous to both humans and wildlife. MCS is working towards ensuring local communities right up to UK governments work together to try and stop littering at source.

If you would like to get involved in future events, then please contact greatbritishbeachcleanformby@yahoo.com