A BEACH cleaning campaigner has spoken out about the hidden ways pollution has been making its way into the estuary.

Helen Shine is Surfers against Sewage’s regional representative for Southend.

Ms Shine, of South Avenue, Southchurch, has been working tirelessly over the past few months to not only fight against waste being dumped on beaches, but to promote the lesser-known issue of street litter making its way into the seas via the road drainage system.

Helen said: “There is awareness around dumping plastic on the beaches at the moment, and though there is still a big problem on our beaches, that is really encouraging to see.

“However, many people do not realise that litter dropped in the streets can make its way out to the estuary and eventually into our oceans via the drainage system - a bottle cap dropped in the centre of Southend High Street could ultimately end up polluting the water just as easily as if it was dropped on the beach.

“Even a bottle dumped in the street could be crushed by a car and end up in the drainage system, eventually finding its way out to the coast and not only make the seafront a less pleasant place to be, but pose a problem to ocean wildlife.”

With a plastic bottle taking around 400 years to decompose, a throwaway purchase could cause environmental issues for centuries to come.

Helen added: “The summer is such a fantastic time for the borough, but its so dispiriting to see people still littering in our streets.

“As a lifelong resident of the town, I am really passionate about getting involved and helping Southend become the best it can be.

“Obviously the levels of rubbish will increase significantly as tourists and locals alike come down to enjoy the beaches, but I would urge everybody to take care when disposing of their rubbish, whether they’re enjoying the seafront or the town.”

In an effort to tackle pollution on the borough’s beaches, a number of groups are coming together this week to hold a marathon 12-hour beach clean which will sweep from Old Leigh to Shoebury.

Surfers Agaisnt Sewage will be joining organisers, Southend BeachCare Group, on July 15 from 8am to 8pm, alongside volunteers from the Marine Conservation Society, Green Action, Essex Wildlife Trust, Southend Kitesurfing, BrazilArte and many more.

Members of the public are invited to join the clean with all equipment provided, including pickers, hoops, and bags, however attendees are asked to bring their own gloves.

The big clean will begin at Bell Wharf Beach at 8am.

It will then progress to Chalkwell Coastguards from 9am, Westcliff opposite Rossi’s from 11am, opposite The Castle Hotel and Pub from 1pm, from the Tram Stop Shelter from 3pm, Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 4.30pm and Shoebury East Beach from 6pm.

Councillor Mark Flewitt, cabinet member for public protection, said: “Litter which is irresponsibly disposed of not only blights our local landscape, it also affects wildlife in our precious natural environments and ultimately finds its way into our seas.” Find out more at southend.gov.uk