Beach users have reported an increase in the amount of litter on the coastline this spring.

The Environment Department said it was the police's responsibility to tackle the problem. About 22,000 pieces of rubbish were left on beaches in 2006.

Former Castel deputy George Le Page, a regular user of Cobo Bay, said he was appalled by the amount of rubbish left by beachgoers over the weekend.

Mr Le Page said when he took some of the litter to the bin there was a hot barbecue inside it.