Thoughtless daytrippers are turning Southend's beaches into a dangerous rubbish tip.

With more hot weather forecast for the weekend, Southend's Pier and Foreshore officers have now issued an urgent plea to residents and visitors to clean up their act and keep the Golden Mile tidy.

The plea comes as new figures released by the Environment Agency reveal that beach litter generally is becoming a real hazard to the public and wildlife.

Rod Hiller, supervisor at the Southend Pier and Foreshore Office, said: "Every year the problem gets worse. People visit our beaches and then leave all their rubbish behind.

"The worst troublespots are the beaches along Southend's so-called Golden Mile.

"These are the areas where holidaymakers are creating the most mess. Every day a team of seven workers spends hours clearing up the beaches after people have gone home but they are facing an uphill task and it is up to the public to help ease the burden."

Published Friday August 16, 2002

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