They are people who love our wonderful coastline – but are often disillusioned at the amount of litter left strewn across what is supposed to be a beauty spot.

But now community-spirited volunteers are going to do something about it – by taking part in a major clean-up of one of Norfolk's best beaches.

And as part of this newspaper's Big Coast Clean Up campaign, we are urging you to give hardy volunteers in Old Hunstanton a hand this weekend to keep our beaches looking spick and span.

SEA LIFE in Hunstanton has organised the event along Old Hunstanton beach on Sunday, June 17 to help tackle the large amount of plastic pollution and litter affecting our native marine wildlife.

As visitors to the area increase during the summer months, the amount of litter and debris left on the ground also rises – putting marine wildlife at risk.

The increasing amount of litter and plastic polluting our beaches threatens all marine animals, with wildlife often mistaking the rubbish and debris for food or getting tangled in plastic nets.

Adam Makinson, duty manager at SEA LIFE Hunstanton, said: 'During our last beach clean we collected 15 bags of waste weighing a hefty 52kg.

'However, we are determined to make this our biggest beach clean ever and we hope to exceed the amount of rubbish we collected last time.

'The threat from plastic pollution to our marine wildlife is only getting worse, with an estimated 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile of the ocean.

'We are determined to make a difference and encourage people to use and dispose of plastics responsibly to save our oceans.'

The beach clean will be held between 11am and midday on Old Hunstanton beach. Participants are encouraged to invite as many people as possible and are advised to bring their own gloves, sturdy shoes and litter pickers if possible.

To sign up, visit SEA LIFE Hunstanton's Facebook beach clean page.

SEA LIFE Hunstanton holds regular beach cleans throughout the year.

For more information on upcoming beach cleans, visit www.visitsealife.com/hunstanton The EDP launched the Big Coast Clean Up campaign earlier this year to tackle the threat of beach litter as the summer tourist season nears.

We are encouraging people to set up their own litter picks or join in those being organised by the Marine Conservation Society.