Napoli affected beaches cleaned

The site at Lyme Regis is part of the Jurassic Coast

Volunteers have cleaned beaches affected by cargo being washed ashore when the MSC Napoli was grounded.

Beaches at Culverhole, Axmouth along to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve (NNR) were cleaned by Natural England staff on Thursday afternoon.

Rubber gloves and yellow jackets were worn and bin bags were filled.

Tom Sunderland, site manager for NNR said now the contractors have completed their work in removing large items, it was time for volunteers to move in.

"Natural England staff in Devon and Dorset have been working hard since the Napoli was run aground in January, providing environmental advice to help make sure the impact of the ship-wreck on the marine and coastal environments was minimised," he said.

Mr Sunderland said local people and East Devon District Council have already completed a huge amount of work to clean up the beaches.

"This day provides an opportunity for Natural England staff to come together and make a contribution to that effort too," said Mr Sunderland.

The NNR comprises of 304 hectares (751 acres) of land slipped cliffs and lies within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Drifting debris

Dozens of volunteers in East Sussex have also cleared debris believed to have come from the container ship.

Shampoo bottles, packing materials and masses of green plastic string were cleared from Cuckmere Haven on Sunday.

It is thought they came from some of the 100 containers from the ship which ran aground.

"The debris appears to be coming along the coast and we think it will drift into Kent," said ranger Robin Thorpe.

Similar items have also been found in Brighton and on the Isle of Wight.