The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), was joined by a group of 42 volunteers, including Environment Minister and local MP, George Eustice, on Porthtowan beach as part of the charity’s Great British Beach Clean.

Common items found included fishing rope and gear, bottle tops, and smaller plastic pieces.The data collected will help MCS identify the main sources of litter on our beaches, and keep the issue of the dangers of marine litter high on the local and national agenda.

Rachel Wyatt, coastal pollution officer at the MCS, who led the clean, said: “We were delighted that George Eustice came to help clean up Porthtowan beach with us, and see the issue of marine and beach litter first hand. We need to tackle this issue at source to make sure litter never reaches our seas in the first place; that will take the combined effort of Governments, industry and the public. Together we can make a difference, each action - no matter how small - will result in a reduction of litter at sea and on land.”

Mr Eustice, MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, and minister of state for farming, food and marine environment, said: “Cornwall is famous for the beauty of its beaches and keeping them clean for both visitors and wildlife is a hugely important job. That is why I was pleased to take part in the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach, where I joined volunteers in helping to clean up litter at Porthtowan beach.”