Small army of volunteers turn up to clear rubbish from Bettystown beach and dunes

Amidst all the wrangling over the future of parking on Bettystown beach, a staggering 150 volunteers came out this morning to carry out a massive clean up of the much loved strand and dunes.

Despite the blustery conditions, families flocked to the shore with bags, shovels, wheelbarrows and a love and appreciation of their coastline to muck in and pick up rubbish left behind by careless and irresponsible visitors during last week's good weather.

Alan Watson from the Beach Management Ctte said: Alan Watson from the Beach Management Ctte said: "I suppose I'd really like to say thank you to everybody. There's nearly 150 people who have turned out here today to help the beach management committee clean the beach. Over the last couple of days have been many people out as well.

"This is just a credit to you the community, this time of the year normally the beach management committee, who are all volunteers, would be looking forward to bringing you and assisting with the international volleyball, beach cricket sports, and even assisting with the sand castle building and sculpturing competitions, but not this year, unfortunately.

However, our second Saturday of every month beach cleans do continue hai,l rain, sleet or snow, and it's just remarkable to see that people care so much about this beach. We thank you for coming out."

Local Cllr Sharon Tolan was also among the hard working volunteers and she said: "I am so overwhelmed by the response! What a wonderful community spirit! Thank you to The Village Hotel who provided a voucher for every volunteer to have a free coffee, a very kind and generous gesture."