The competition is being run to raise awareness of beach litter

The Solway Firth Partnership is running the competition to raise awareness of the problems caused by beach litter.

The partnership's Pam Taylor said items found in the past included a toupee and a garden gnome.

The Marine Conservation Society's Beachwatch surveys have revealed an 80% increase in litter in the past decade.

Ms Taylor said: "The exciting thing about searching the strandline is that each tide brings in new objects so you never know what you might find.

"Some of the more unusual things we know have appeared in the past include a toupee and a garden gnome, not to mention natural finds including whales and turtles.

"Far travelled items might include fish boxes or lobster tags which can find their way right across the Atlantic from Newfoundland."

As well as the beachcomber competition, the Solway Firth Partnership will be implementing an action plan to help tackle beach litter issues.

The objects must be found on the Solway shores, from St Bees to Loch Ryan, and the competition finishes at the end of August.