Southwold's beach has benefited from a spring clean by a team of holiday lettings agency staff.

Colleagues from all three Southwold, Woodbridge and Aldeburgh offices of Suffolk Secrets met Cathy Smith from Suffolk Coast and Heaths area of natural beauty unit to tackle litter on the north side of Southwold Pier for this year's first Beachwatch clean-up.

Items found by staff volunteers included crisp wrappers, rope, fast food containers, cigarette packets, metal springs, plastic grocery bags, polystyrene packaging, rusty nails, matches, bottle caps, plastic cups, plastic drink bottles and party poppers.

A large quantity of cigarette ends were also found, highlighting the need for smokers to take them away to dispose of responsibly.

As noted by the Marine Conservation Society, cigarette litter is a growing environmental concern and is found in large quantities on UK beaches.

Alex Paul, general manager of Suffolk Secrets, said: 'Our staff love working and living in Suffolk and were proud to participate in our first beach clean-up of the year, which helps to protects this beautiful stretch of coast for future generations to enjoy.'

Beachwatch is a national scheme run by the Marine Conservation Society and coordinated locally by the Suffolk Coast and Heaths area of outstanding natural beauty unit.