AN EEL'S spinal column and half an anchor were some of the debris picked up by volunteers during a beach clean at Mount Batten.

Thirty volunteers took to the beach, collecting nine bags full of rubbish and just under 450 individual items of rubbish. Two-thirds of the rubbish collected was plastic in origin, varying from small pieces to lengths of fishing line.

The Marine Conservation Society said there was "good news" as the number of shotgun cartridges found has decreased. However, more balloons, which are a particular threat to dolphins and turtles which often swallow them, were picked up on the latest clean.

For more information about the MCS visit www.mcsuk.org.