VISITORS to Bournemouth's coastline have been urged to get involved in a novel new initiative to keep its beaches clean.

The council has teamed up with plastics recycling campaign #pledge4plastics to launch a world record attempt and deal with the town's litter problem at the same time.

Last month pictures emerged of the town's beaches strewn with litter after a hot summer's day.

Now residents and visitors are being urged to recycle as much plastic packaging as possible, which will be used in a bid to set a new world record for the largest work of art made from recycled packaging during the Bournemouth Arts Festival in October.

Councillor Michael Filer, Portfolio Holder for Cleansing and Waste, at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: "Our seafront team work extremely hard every day to make sure Bournemouth’s beach is beautiful for the daily influx of thousands of visitors, and it’s pleasing that the vast majority of people put their packaging in the bin or take it home to recycle.

"However, we want to make sure even more is recycled, and so we’ve partnered up with #pledge4plastics to promote awareness and drive home the message that more can still be done."

Stuart Foster of #pledge4plastics added: On a lovely summer’s day, there’s nothing better than a trip to the seaside, a snack and a swim in the sea. You can recycle ‘on the go’ in most places and certainly at world class resort, Bournemouth."

Members of the public are also being asked to come up with ideas for the work of art, which will be constructed as part of an engagement event for local residents and festival visitors.

Bournemouth handles 361.98 tonnes of rubbish and recycling collected from its beachside bins every year, part of the 86,694 tonnes collected by the borough every year. Viridor processes the borough’s recycling and each year sends more than 1,842 tonnes of Bournemouth’s plastic packaging to be made into new products including new plastic bottles, furniture or clothing.

The #pledge4plastics team will be out and about during August and across the world famous Air Festival weekend, encouraging residents and tourists to pledge to recycle their plastic, and sign up to be part of the world record attempt.

Residents and tourists can find out more here: www.pledge4plastics.co.uk/pledge.