LITTER pickers sprang into action for the first Helford River clean-up of the year, with 22 people turning out to spruce up the beach and surrounding area on Sunday.

The volunteers also got the chance to christen new equipment supplied by Clean Cornwall, a partnership funded by Cornwall Council and dedicated to reducing the impact of litter.

It included a colourful banner, litter pickers, branded buckets and gloves.

The event was run by One Bag Beach Clean and Plastic-Free Helford River coordinator Carol Hurst.

She said: “It was great to have the chance to put Clean Cornwall’s equipment to good use.

"I’m very grateful for the funding, and the kit will be used at regular events, the next one being a Beach Clean at Maenporth Beach at 10am on Sunday, March 8.”

The workers were even able to enjoy some glorious sunshine as they set about cleaning. Not quite so enjoyable was the discovery of seven bags of dog poo which had been thrown in the hedges or left at the back of the beach.

Altogether, the litter pickers collected 17.2kg of rubbish which was then sorted for disposal.

Around one-sixth (3.4kg) of the rubbish comprised cans and bottles retrieved from the hedgerow, and these were sent off to be recycled, leaving 13.8kg which will go to the energy recovery centre.