Beach smokers urged to bin butts

The butt bin attaches to swimsuits

Smokers on two north Cornwall beaches are being told to bin their butts in special containers, rather than stub them out in the sand.

The problem of smokers throwing away their butts on the beach at Polzeath and Summerleaze has led to the action by North Cornwall District Council.

Beach rangers will be handing out the bins which can carry eight butts and strap to swimsuits.

The aim is that smokers will deposit their butts in waste bins.

The scheme, which follows successful experiments in Australia, will continue throughout the summer.

Beach ranger, Jolyon Sharp, said: "Cigarette butts contain up to 4,000 chemicals and cigarette filters can take up to 12 years to degrade.

"Unless we take action, there is a risk that our beaches will become giant ashtrays. Cigarette butts also contain chemicals which harm marine organisms.

"Smokers can easily prevent this environmental pollution by stubbing out their cigarettes in butt bins."