As a land surrounded by water and with many beaches on offer for both visitors and residents to enjoy its alarming to hear that anti-litter messages are falling on deaf ears.
Recent beach clean surveys have found that nearly all parts of the UKs coastline have a problem with plastic debris sweet wrappers cigarette butts and drinks bottles clogging beaches. Not only is this unsightly its also a problem for marine and wildlife who mistake much of this rubbish for food.
According to the Marine Conservation Society plastic deposits rose by 3% in 2012 with numbers cigarette stubs doubling between 2011 and 2012. General smoking litter such as lighters and packets increased by 90%.
As a Blue Flag beach destination Hayling is a large and mostly pristine coastal area but at times even the beaches around the island suffer from unwanted rubbish deposits. We can all do our bit by picking up litter when we visit the beach and helping to conserve what is a beautiful part of the UK as well as not polluting our beaches with unwanted rubbish.
Lauren Eyles MCS beachwatch officer commented on the The News website: This years figures point to people becoming less bothered about littering said Lauren Eyles MCS beachwatch officer. She added: We must hammer the message home that litter is completely unacceptable in the 21st century.
