Beach litter down but charity issues balloon warning

The amount of litter being washed up on the UK's beaches fell last year, according to new data.

Statistics from the Marine Conservation Society's (MCS) annual beach litter survey show an overall drop of 11 per cent from 2010. However, worrying figures include a 71 per cent year-on-year increase in the amount of bags containing dog mess found on Scotland's beaches, and an 8 per cent increase in the number of balloons collected across the UK.      

The latter has prompted the MCS to issue a warning regarding the potential dangers balloons can pose to the environment and wildlife. According to a report by The Guardian newspaper, there are concerns that with major public events due to take place over the summer, the number of balloons being released could soar.

MCS beachwatch officer Lauren David said: "With 2012 set to be a year of celebrations from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee to the London Olympics, we really need people to understand why letting go is a bad idea. There is clear evidence that balloons harm wildlife in the marine environment and we don't want to see 2012 leave a legacy of littering."

According to the charity's report, members of the public can be directly tied to two-fifths of the litter found on the UK's beaches. A further 38 per cent of the litter picked up by the 4,375 volunteers between September 16 and 19 was too small or damaged for its source to be identified.

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