Summer litter pick turns festive with unusual beach find

A summer beach litter pick took on a festive flavour due to a surprising item of rubbish found.

Denbighshire County Council’s Flood Rosk team supported by Tyfu, Prestatyn C.I.C, recently carried out a litter pick around the Barkby Beach area, Prestatyn. Equipment for the event was supplied by Keep Wales Tidy and the Marine Conservation Society.

A group of 14 including volunteers collected 11 bags of rubbish off the beach area, weighing in at 18.5kg of litter.

An unusual item picked up by the group was a set of working Christmas lights and a saucepan was also recovered.

Claudia Smith, Coastal Erosion and Flood Risk Officer, said: “We are grateful to everyone who gave their time to join this litter pick. We are all working together to tackle the impact of marine litter in the area, especially during the summer weeks, which can block waterways and drainage, stopping the flow of water and leading to higher risks of localised flooding further upstream.

“Removing litter from the beach can also give better support to natural defences such as shorelines, dunes and seagrass beds, as they are able to better maintain their natural function as defences against the sea. Litter picks such as this also help to improve the environment for local residents and visitors.”

Councillor Barry Mellor, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways and the Environment, said: “This is a great example of partnership work between the Council, other groups and fantastic local volunteers. Combined, this goes a long way in managing the risk of localised flooding from the impact of marine litter, protecting the environment and also making areas such as Barkby Beach so much better for people to visit and enjoy.”