Coastal clean-up cash for volunteers

Over the past four years volunteers have collected thousands of bags of rubbish

Support for volunteers who help keep County Durham's coast clean is set to continue with funding from the local council.

Since 2021, 5,175 bags of rubbish have been collected from the Heritage coastline which spans from Seaham Hall beach to Crimdon beach.

It is due to the work of volunteers from schools and businesses as well as individuals and community groups, with their efforts organised by a beach care officer.

Durham County Council has now awarded £94,000 so the post can continue for the next three years.

Councillor Mark Wilkes, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: "We're so grateful to everyone for their efforts.

"Everyone who has volunteered their time is helping to protect this special environment."

Emily Routledge, head of development and communications at Durham Wildlife Trust, said: "We want to ensure everyone is able to enjoy our coastline for generations to come.

"To do that we need to raise awareness of how important this landscape is and make sure that we rally residents to take charge of their own environment by helping to keep it clean.

"We look forward to this work continuing over the next few years."