Great British Beach Clean attracts record number of volunteers

Charity warns against complacency as levels of plastic remain 'shocking'

Record numbers of volunteers turned out this year to help clear litter from the UK's beaches, in the 25th annual Great British Beach Clean.

But the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which organises the event, warned there were still shocking amounts of plastic litter on UK beaches, despite a 16% decrease compared with last year. It said the average of 16 glass and plastic bottles and drinks cans retrieved on every 100-metre stretch of beach (330ft) surveyed strengthened the case for the urgent introduction of a deposit return system in all parts of the UK.