Survey sees litter reduced by 50% at Marazion

THE results from a nationwide survey saw Marazion break a regional trend by successfully reducing litter levels at the town's beach.

Last year's Beachwatch saw more than 5,000 volunteers collect and record waste along the country's coastline.

Where litter levels across the South West on the whole had risen, the clean up at Marazion recorded a fall of approximately 50% on 2007.

This success comes on the back of campaigns across Penwith organised by Cornwall Waste Action.

Co-ordinator Guy Doncaster said: "We do a lot of awareness work with children and in the community. One of our major schemes last year was a competition for children to design a poster."

He explained the poster campaign had been a real success, and the children working on the project had taken home what they learned, spreading the message to their parents.

The poster was then distributed across Penwith, reaching a larger audience.

"It was really great that local people showed enthusiasm for surveying and collecting the litter and waste from Marazion beach. We hope that more beach cleans are held throughout Cornwall and that such events raise public awareness and help change behaviour."

Volunteers collected 20 bags of waste – down from 40 bags the year before.