THOUSANDS of people across Cornwall are expected to take part in the county’s first ever ‘Love Your Beach’ day.

Co-ordinated beach clean ups are set to take place on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) at beaches all around the coast from Bude to Millendreath.

Anyone who can’t make one of the organised events is encouraged to do a ‘mini beach clean’ at their local beach, draw a heart on the sand, and upload their photo to social media with the hashtag #loveyourbeach.

Behind the initiative is the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Youth engagement officer Jenn Sanford said: ‘After the huge storms we’ve experienced so far this winter, a large amount of rubbish has been washed up on our beaches. Plastic is now high on the agenda throughout the country and we are so lucky that Cornwall already has a massive plastic free movement in place.

‘It’s estimated that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. It’s time to act, make a change and be part of something big this February 14!’

Groups involved in South East Cornwall include the Friends of Par Beach, the Friends of Fowey and the Looe Marine Conservation Group, and a Love Your Beach Day beach clean will be taking place at Millendreath (10am).