NEARLY 40kg of rubbish has been collected from beaches in Clacton as part of a bid to clear the waters of plastic waste.

The event, organised by Giving to Conserve and Surfers Against Sewage, saw volunteers clear the beach of sackfulls waste.

The items found on the coast included plastic bottles, cigarette butts and glass bottles, which can take up to 4,000 years to degrade. 

The event was described as fun, community-based and powered by individuals. 

Giving to Conserve said awareness from the public is the most important thing and that we all can make a small, but meaningful difference. 

Plastics still make up to 80 per cent of all marine debris and 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds are killed by plastic every year. 

The next all-day clean-up event is scheduled for the end of September, with the final date to be decided.

To stay up to date with Giving to Conserve campaigns, go to givingtoconserve.com.