The litter disgrace of Scots beaches

Scotland’s beaches are covered in more litter than any other country in the UK, new research has revealed.

As well as creating an unsightly mess, the debris strewn across our beaches poses a health risk to marine wildlife from seabirds to seals, the Marine Conservation Society has warned.

From turtles that have starved due to stomachs blocked with plastic to birds tangled in fishing wire, conservation experts have described the shocking effect of rubbish on beaches.

Latest figures from the Marine Conservation Society show Scotland has 2,581 items of litter for every kilometre of beach monitored