A GAMES console, a computer hard drive and a huge old marquee were among 780kg of rubbish recently cleared from a beach.

The RSPB organised a beach clean on South Gare, near Redcar, in a bid to make it better for wildlife and visitors.

Volunteers from the RSPB, PD Ports, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Teesside dive club, South Gare marine club and Teesmouth bird club took part.

Craig McNeil, RSPB’s Date with Nature officer, said: “I would like to thank everyone who turned up to help- it was a great team effort. Around 30 people offered a helping hand over the course of the day and it really made a difference, we removed an impressive amount of rubbish.”

South Gare is an internationally important site for nature. The RSPB is working with PD Ports to bring people closer to some of the fabulous wildlife that spends the winter on the beaches and dunes there.

Mr McNeil added: “Unfortunately, even after our efforts at the weekend, there is still quite a bit of rubbish on the beach. The amount of litter left or dumped in the area is not only unsightly; it can cause serious problems for marine and coastal wildlife.

“We would like to help tackle this problem and would encourage people not to leave their litter, including dog waste, on the site.”

The Date with Nature project will be up and running at South Gare most weekends until the end of January. For more information and to find out how to take part, visit www.rspb.org.uk/saltholme