VOLUNTEERS got to grips with sand and debris covering Bournemouth beach this weekend in the wake of recent storms.

Armed with brooms, shovels and wellies they got to work clearing heaped sand from the promenade into mounds for easy collection by council seafront staff, as well as picking up litter washed up by the stormy seas.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, who had appealed for residents to join the clean-up effort, split the group into two teams – one to clear the promenade near Boscombe Pier and the other to sweep the beach from there to Southbourne.

Referring to Thursday night’s landslip at East Cliff he said: “The council are doing a fantastic job trying to keep on top of this, but as soon as they clear up one mess something else happens.

“All this sand has to be moved by hand anyway, and I am very grateful to all the volunteers from the community who have come out today to get our town back in order.

“It’s the good old British spirit at work.”

The MP, who was also joined by his five-year-old son Alex and local ward councillors, said the beach was Bournemouth’s “trump card” and people were proud of it.

“It is a lovely day and some of the people passing have seen what we are doing and given us a hand anyway, which is fantastic,” he added.