Surfer Cliff introduces beach clean initiative at Lee-on-the-Solent and Stokes Bay

Cliff Culver, Gosport’s regional representative for the organisation Surfers Against Sewage, which aims to tackle marine litter, has got boxes on the shore at Lee-on-the-Solent and Stokes Bay beaches.

The boxes contain all the necessary equipment to help keep the beaches tidy, including litter grabbers, gloves and sanitiser hand gel.

Cliff, 45 who is a director of sales at Holiday Inn in Guildford, believes the initiative is an excellent way for the public to get involved.

He told The News: ‘One of the drivers behind this scheme is that not everyone can participate in mass beach cleans, so I wanted to make them more accessible.

‘The Beach Clean Box allows people to get out when it suits them and for how long they want and I will happily drop it off locally.’

Cliff added that every time he visits a beach, he can fill a bag of rubbish within two minutes.

‘For us, the rubbish on the beach has actually become more important than the sewage in the sea,’ he said

‘The big problem that every beach and ocean across the world is experiencing is the amount of plastics that are littered and washed up on them.

‘It’s important to keep the beaches clean for our environment as micro plastics are coming to a critical point.’

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed Cliff’s initiative to help protect local beaches.

She said: ‘The work Cliff and his team of volunteers are undertaking is fantastic.

‘Litter is not only unsightly, but potentially harmful – both to people and wildlife.

‘Our beaches are so important to the local community, and access to the tools to keep them clean will help to ensure they can be fully enjoyed.’

As reported by The News, Lee-on-the-Solent and Stokes Bay beaches maintained their ‘excellent’ standard for their quality of water.

For more information, visit sas.org.uk/?s=beach+clean+box