MORE than 3,500 items of rubbish were cleared from Chalkwell Beach during a clean-up campaign.

Volunteers targeted the beach as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Beachwatch litter survey and clean-up across the country.

Volunteers helped to remove rubbish from a 200m stretch of beach. All over the country the rubbish cleared was also recorded, so the main sources of the litter could be identified and the society will use the survey results to tackle the cause of beach litter.

The Chalkwell survey showed the most common litter on the beach was cotton buds, plastic, cigarette stubs, plastic bottle caps, crisp packets and sweet wrappers.

Organiser Tracy Cutting thanked volunteers who gave up their time and said: “On Chalkwell beach, the survey showed that the major source of beach litter was sewage-related debris. In the UK we have a habit of using our toilets as an extra bin, but sewage treatment works are not designed to filter out all of these items and they end up on our beaches.

“More widespread local support is needed for the Bag It and Bin It campaign, which encourages the public to bin sanitary items rather than flush them.

“Often people who visit a beach do not take their litter away with them, spoiling the beach for others.

“The council and beach owners need to ensure adequate bins are provided and emptied regularly, particularly in the peak summer period.

“But, most importantly, individuals must take responsibility for their own actions, and remember never to leave litter on the beach or drop litter anywhere.”

Data recorded from surveys conducted across the UK will be published in the national Beachwatch report next spring.