Big Clyde Clean Up launches at Parklea in Port Glasgow

Campaigners kicked off the Big Clyde Beach Clean at beauty spot Parklea in Port Glasgow and there was a tremendous turnout.

They were joined by an army of litter pickers including a team from the EE call centre in Greenock as well as staff from McGill's Buses plus local politicians.

Over the next few weeks the eco warriors, led by social enterprise Green Tangerine, are aiming to have tidied up the waterfront all the way to Wemyss Bay.

The push comes as they step up their fight to make Inverclyde a single-use plastics free zone, amid growing concerns about its impact on the local environment.

Vicky Cookson, one of the organisers co-ordinating the effort along with fellow volunteer Anne Thain, said: "We were delighted at the turnout at Parklea. It was amazing to see all those people helping to clean up a local beauty spot.

"We are planning to make it all the way down to Wemyss Bay.

"We have been doing a lot of work in recent years to clean up Inverclyde."

Eco campaign group Literati Guide to Inverclyde is working in tandem with Green Tangerine and Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan is a big supporter of the group, regularly attending litter picks.

Last year alone they held 102 events, with over 700 people taking part and collecting 5,430 kg of waste.

He said: "I am very proud to be involved and to show my support for the Big Clyde Beach Clean."

A recent national study showed that single-use plastics like bottles are the most dumped items found on beaches.

The Big Beach Clean Up is being run in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful and plans are in place to hold a picnic at Lunderston Bay on Sunday April 21 to celebrate the end of the campaign.