YESTERDAY, The Argus reported that plastic cups and bottles had been left scattered across the beach and a pile of pizza boxes built up around overflowing seafront bins.

Brighton and Hove City Council urged people to take their litter with them if there was nowhere to dispose of it and one Argus reader said that those responsible should be "ashamed".

In a powerful speech, he said: "There is a blatant disregard for the environment and a big lesson we should all be learning right now is the fragility of the natural world and our place in it.

"We should be coming out of this with gratitude. With respect for where we live, for the world that takes care of us.

The Argus:

"Trashing a beach is not the way to do that - leaving rubbish for seabirds to ingest or to end up in the sea to further pollute the oceans and kill sea creatures is not the way to do that.

"It shows that, even during a pandemic, some people still have little care for the world that provides everything for us and I feel deeply ashamed on behalf of everyone who left rubbish for someone else to clear up."

But, for some, no lessons were learned.

The Argus:

Today, readers pictured similar scenes in Preston Park this morning with empty vodka bottles and plastic bags left strewn across the grass - despite the fact there were half-full bins less than 100 metres away.

Pizza boxes, beer cans and paper plates were among the litter to be seen at the site at 7am today.

This followed a second day of warm weather in the UK, with many people choosing to visit the beach or parks in Brighton and Hove.

This is now allowed after last week's easing of lockdown rules, though people are urged to continue to follow social distancing advice.

The Argus:

Brighton and Hove City Council has said that the problem of littering in the city has been "exacerbated" by "many premises now offering take away food, soft drinks and alcohol, especially those on the lower promenade at Kings Road Arches".

A spokesman for the authority said: "This is exacerbating the issues of crowding and groups gathering, in direct contravention of the legislation and government’s guidelines on physical distancing. This is also intensifying public nuisance, urination and littering issues.

"With this in mind, we’re taking action to address the problems we’re seeing."

The Argus:

Councillor Anne Pissaridou, chairwoman of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee, responded to the amounts of litter now being left in the city.

She said: "We’d like to remind people using the beach to take their litter with them and find a bin to put it in.

"There are now more than 300 bins along the seafront so there’s no reason for leaving waste on the beach or dumping it beside an already full bin.

"If, in the unlikely event someone can’t find a bin, I would urge them to take their waste home and place it in their household waste or recycling.

The Argus:

"We are living through strange times and currently in lockdown to protect us from spreading this deadly virus.

"That is all the more reason to protect each other and our staff and keep our beaches clean while protecting the seas and the environment.

"I am so proud of the people of Brighton and Hove who are observing social distancing and taking all measures to protect ourselves and others."

The Argus:

Cllr Pissaridou also revealed that the council would be stepping up cleaning efforts as lockdown was eased.

She said: "Our seafront cleaning and clearing service is getting back to normal again to ensure our beaches are free from litter and other debris.

"We’re also employing more staff to increase collections and litter-picking."

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund