Residents angry over litter and debris at beach

The area was described as a "dumping ground"

Residents have raised concerns that a beach with historic and local value is being used as a dumping ground for litter.

They say boat parts, tyres and litter are not only spoiling the North Corner quayside and Cornwall Beach area of Plymouth, across the water from Torpoint, Cornwall, but pose a danger to children.

Phil Head, of the Steam Packet Inn, said: "People get hold of boats that are being given away, bring them here, strip them of anything worth keeping and abandon them."

The area is under several ownerships including Plymouth City Council and Ministry of Defence (MoD), which said it worked with the council and other owners to "organise regular clean-ups". The council has been contacted.

Landlord of the Steam Packet Inn Phil Head says the beach used to be lovely

Mr Head, who has run the pub for more than 30 years, added: "It's a mess. It used to be lovely here but in recent years it's just become a dumping ground."

He explained that once a year, a ceremony was held at the memorial at North Corner for the Royal Marines from Plymouth, who served and died in Operation Frankton in France during World War Two.

The ceremony was attended by families of those who had died, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported, as well as the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, MPs and other dignitaries, with wreaths left at the scene.

"You would think that there would be more respect for this place given how important it is to Plymouth," added Mr Head.

"There is litter everywhere and the bins don't get emptied enough. I am fed up with it looking like a tip."

He also said the area saw many visitors each year who thought they were coming to a beach in Cornwall but their sat-nav brought them to Devonport instead.

"It could be a real attraction but instead they look over the wall and see the state of it and are horrified," he said.

'Deep historic' value

Local resident, Mark Mitchell, said: "When I came here 20 years ago with three kids they used to be on the beach and in the sea all the time. I would not let my dog in there now."

Another resident, Darren Couling, said: "Cornwall Beach is a place of deep historic and local value, and it is distressing to see it treated as a dumping ground."

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said people had "every right to be frustrated with the condition of Cornwall Beach" and it was something he had raised with government, the council and other owners several times over the years.

The MoD said it only owned a small part of the beach, which was private, and this did not include the steps or slipway.

"We continue to work closely with Plymouth City Council and other owners to organise regular clean-ups and remove abandoned boats and debris," it said.