A ‘rid litter’ day on Christchurch beaches (From Thisisdorset)

A ‘rid litter’ day on Christchurch beaches

5:00pm Tuesday 1st January 2013 in News By Katie Clark

DEDICATED volunteers who have helped to clear Christchurch beaches of litter and debris will be celebrating the first anniversary of a special campaign.

The Litter Free Coast and Sea campaign run by Christchurch council is nearing its first anniversary and a beach clean at Friars Cliff beach will be held on Sunday January 6 to celebrate.

Throughout 2012 a variety of community groups got involved with the campaign and 17 events took place throughout the year, helping clear litter from the Christchurch coastline.

And the campaign will continue through 2013 with the council’s open spaces team appealing for more local groups to get involved in the campaign.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Peter Hall, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to help keep our coastline free from litter. Most people here are very responsible and take their litter home with them but a lot of the litter collected gets brought in with the tide.

“People who take part in the litter picks usually enjoy the day as it’s good exercise and it gives them the feeling that they are helping keep the local environment clean.”

Earlier last year volunteers and councillors helped to clear 10 black bags of rubbish at Christchurch Quay while Christchurch Lifesaving Club also organised a beach clean at Friars Cliff.

Employees from Marks and Spencer stores in Bournemouth and Poole, too, cleared the beaches and Quay at Mudeford.

Youngsters from the 5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) cubs and beavers also got involved while the Highcliffe Nyeri Explorer Scouts held a conservation day at various areas in the borough.

Anyone wishing to organise a beach clean in 2013, or to be added to the beach clean event mailing list, should contact the Open Spaces Team on 01202 495229 or email beaches@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk