A MAJOR beach clean has seen two tonnes of rubbish and a number of dead animals removed from Chesil Beach.

Concerns were raised for public health when Portlanders spotted the body of a dead cow among tonnes of plastic and other litter which appeared following a major storm on Friday.

Authorities and volunteers worked throughout today to remove the carcasses.

Bulldozers and diggers were also used at on the scene to begin restructuring work, which will ensure that functioning flood defences are in place for the future.

Council staff, Environment Agency workers, green campaigners and residents are continuing to clean the beach with a major effort planned for this Sunday.

Izzy Imset, of diving group Underwater Explorers, runs the company's voluntary initiative Chesil Beach Watch.

He said: “Normally it would take two or three days to get all this rubbish on the beach, but this all came in one tide on Friday, in a sort of flash pollution.

“More than two tonnes of rubbish have now been removed, including the dead carcasses.”

Storm Wallace, environmental campaigner, said that local businesses have donated 12 skips for use on Sunday's big beach clean.

She said: “The Environment Agency workers have been restructuring parts of the beach behind the skate park to make sure the flood defence is not damaged.

“They have been bulldozing a tiny part of the beach but the main repair work won't begin until after all of the rubbish is removed.”

Streetscene manager Karyn Punchard said: “We are grateful for the efforts of volunteers who collected the debris that was washed up on Chesil Beach and Portland following the recent storms.”

Parents Amanda and Sean Green, of Courtlands, stopped taking their four-year-old son to visit the beach.

Amanda said: “I'm an animal lover and it's just upsetting to see. I certainly didn't want my son seeing that.

“There were also at least three dolphins washing around in the surf, and one has been quite badly battered by the waves.”

LOCAL environmental campaigner Storm Wallace has organised a Chesil Beach cleanup on Sunday.
All are urged to get involved and should meet at Quiddles Cafe at 10.30am.