Sir,

We all know that rubbish (plastic waste in particular) is degrading our oceans and causing huge problems for our wildlife, and for all of us as plastic enters the food chain(www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34415464).

A few years ago, shocked by footage of marine animals devastated by our plastic waste, I resolved to make a small gesture - taking a carrier bag in my pocket whenever I walked along Tenby’s North Beach, South Beach, Harbour Beach or Castle Beach, in order to pick up any litter on the tideline. So each time I take a walk, as well as enjoying the beauty of the coastline and getting exercise, I hope to do something useful.

This weekend, I took four long walks along the beaches. I could not believe the amount of rubbish I came across - within five minutes in each case I had a carrier bag full of takeaway packaging, plastic bottles, dog poo bags, drinks cartons, cans, wet wipes and so on. The litter seems to be getting much, much worse in Tenby. While we know a lot of this rubbish is washed in with the tide, there is clear evidence that a lot is simply left behind by people who do not give a damn about the environment.

Feeling despondent about this dismal haul, I was looking out at Castle Beach on Sunday morning when I saw a man picking up rubbish on the beach and in the gardens by the public toilets. He told me he is a volunteer for Keep Wales Tidy. He goes out twice a week in low season, five times a week during the summer.

So here is the good news: a kind person is patiently and persistently picking up the rubbish left behind on the sands.

Please support this cause: the excellent work done by Keep Wales Tidy. And even if you are not a joiner or a volunteer, it is not hard to slip a bag in your pocket the next time you (perhaps with your dog) go for a walk along South Beach or North Beach. Keep your eye on the high tide line. Pick up whatever rubbish you see. I guarantee you will be amazed and horrified, but at least you will be doing something really valuable. The more people who do this as a matter of course, the more impact we can have.

And please, please don’t launch Chinese lanterns into the ocean this New Year. They may look beautiful, but they have a devastating impact on marine wildlife.

Susie Parr,

Castle Hill,

Tenby.