'Wonderful' response to giant litterpick

FISH hooks, a folding chair, plastic bags and metal remnants from the second world war were just some of the items collected last week in a giant litterpick along the north Norfolk coast.

FISH hooks, a folding chair, plastic bags and metal remnants from the second world war were just some of the items collected last week in a giant litterpick along the north Norfolk coast.

More than 60 staff from the Norwich office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP joined Norfolk Wildlife Trust wardens at NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes to clear litter and rubbish.

The Marine Conservation Society estimates that over a million sea birds and more than 100,000 marine animals die each year from contact with plastic rubbish.

Marine animals frequently mistake floating plastic for food, and plastic bags have been found blocking the intestines of sharks, turtles and even whales.

The volunteers collected litter along the beach and strandline and then walked back through Cley Marshes Nature Reserve for a drink in the visitor centre.

Director of Norfolk Wildlife Trust Brendan Joyce said: “To have so many volunteers helping on this stretch of coastline to clear the litter and debris has been wonderful. This part of the north Norfolk coast can get heavily polluted and to have this cleared is crucial to the wellbeing of the wildlife of the area and also our visitors.”

Christopher Lawrence, senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Norwich, said: “I am really pleased that we have the opportunity of enabling our staff to spend an afternoon working with Norfolk Wildlife Trust on a specific project.”