Ninety-three people joined a two and a half mile walk and beach clean from Minehead to Dunster Beach.

Over 15 sacks of rubbish were collected on the 18th Winter Walk and Beach Clean organised by Plastic Free Minehead and Plastic Free Exmoor on Saturday.

Items collected included plastic and glass bottles, food packaging, tins, fishing line and tackle, large pieces of metal, polystyrene, golf balls, disposable BBQs, dog poo bags, empty vape cartridges and cigarette butts. 

On reaching Dunster the walkers were met by volunteers who sorted the rubbish, removing as much as possible for recycling and ensuring that the rest was disposed of responsibly. 

The walk and beach clean was a registered Surfers Against Sewage, “Million Mile Clean” event. As the litter was sorted a record was made of all of the branded packaging that was found.

Over 100 different brand packaging names were identified. The data collected is shared with Surfers Against Sewage so that a picture can be built across the UK of the types and brands of litter that are being found and this evidence is then used to challenge businesses and government to do more to protect our wild spaces.

Volunteers taking part in the beach clean
Volunteers taking part in the beach clean (Peter Hoyland)

The walk was supported by Dunster Beach Holidays who provided a hot drink and cake for all those taking part and helped with recycling and disposing of all the litter that was collected. 

A spokesperson for Plastic Free Communities in West Somerset and Exmoor said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along and helped with Saturday’s beach clean and litter pick. It is really encouraging to see so many people showing how much they care about our local environment.

"We would like to thank all of our Plastic Free Community Allies and Business Champions for their help in publicising the event and in particular Dunster Beach Holidays for providing refreshments for everyone taking part and for their help with recycling and disposing of the litter that was collected.”

People can find out more about Plastic Free Communities in West Somerset and Exmoor by visiting their Facebook page.