Students from Uffculme School have been busy tackling marine litter in a beach clean at Dawlish Warren.

The event, organised by STC Expeditions – an ethical school expedition company based in Exeter – was part of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) national Beachwatch project.

The students collected eight bin bags, with the top items found on the day identified as fishing nets, pieces of microplastics and polystyrene. Other items of note included a shilling from 1952 and a collection of large metal pipes.

The beach clean went ahead two days before MCS cancelled all beach cleans until further notice due to coronavirus.

Adrian Ferraro from STC Expeditions said: “This is the second beach clean we have run at Dawlish Warren and it was fantastic to see so many students turn up to join us. It was great to get out in the fresh air and do something positive amidst the daily dose of depressing headlines.

“The students at Uffculme were amazing and really got stuck into the job – dedicated to clear as much litter as was possible.

“The data that was collected on the day will help MCS identify the main sources of litter at Dawlish Warren and keep the issue of the dangers of marine litter high on the local agenda – so this is a really worthwhile project.”

Dave Harbour, head of Geography at Uffculme School, said: “As always our students love to get involved in opportunities they are offered and this beach clean was no exception.”

For more information on the MCS beach survey visit www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch