STAFF from Marks & Spencer stores across the area were joined by members of the public to give part of Felixstowe’s coastline a spring clean.

Ipswich Star: Staff from local M & S Stores and other volunteers take part in a beach clean up on Felixstowe beach - Nicole Roberts, Alison Searle and Tina Hardy.Staff from local M & S Stores and other volunteers take part in a beach clean up on Felixstowe beach - Nicole Roberts, Alison Searle and Tina Hardy. (Image: Archant)

Nationwide, the company was hoping 8,000 people would take part in its M&S Big Beach Clean-up with the aim to remove 15 tonnes of litter from 113 beaches and 50 canals.

Ipswich Star: Litter pick at Landguard.Litter pick at Landguard. (Image: Archant)

The event at Landguard at Felixstowe attracted a big crowd of helpers who set about working their way along the beach from Manor Terrace car park to Landguard Point.

The clean-up was part of M&S’ Forever Fish campaign funded by the profits from the 5p carrier bag charge in M&S foodhalls.

Since its introduction in 2008, the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 78% and raised more than £4million for charity.

The campaign is supported by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and Canal and River Trust.

According to the MCS there are two pieces of litter on every metre of the coastline, most of it plastic.

The harmful impacts of plastic on the UK’s marine life are becoming ever more apparent and the MCS is concerned that plastic pieces are often found in the digestive systems of fish.