The beach at Aberystwyth has been targeted by litter pickers

The blitz on Sunday by Keep Wales Tidy's coastal care group and Aberystwyth Town Council, was the first time the groups have co-ordinated their attack on the town's litter.

Both organisations have been concerned about rubbish in certain areas of the town for some time and have now decided to do something about it.

The town council and its volunteers, among other things, steam cleaned bus shelters while Keep Wales Tidy workers collected bottles, cans and plastics that are washed up on the shore or left on the beach by inconsiderate sunbathers.

We come across pint glasses, condoms, crutches and even lobster pots Kara Davies, Keep Wales Tidy coast care group

Kara Davies, from Keep Wales Tidy coast care group in Aberystwyth, said: "It's the first time the town council and Keep Wales Tidy have worked together to combat the litter problem in Aberystwyth.

"It never surprises me how much litter is gathered. Last time we cleaned north and south beach we collected 40 bin liners' full of rubbish.

'Condoms'

Beaches should be litter-free say campaigners

"Bottles, cans and plastics are recycled while the other rubbish is collected by the council.

"Some of the rubbish is washed up on the shore, but there's some left by people who've been on the beach.

"We come across pint glasses, condoms, crutches and even lobster pots."

Miss Davies added: "In all, both groups will be working most of the day on the clean up."

In a survey in 2002, coastal campaigners Beachwatch said 2,598 volunteers collected more than 241,285 items of litter from 229 beaches across the UK.