A KAYAKER is taking on a 24-hour challenge to raise awareness of plastic in our seas.

Roy Beal, of Maiden Newton, will be setting off from Keyhaven, Hampshire, and circumnavigating the Isle of Wight before paddling along the coast.

There will be no camping or sleeping – the challenge is to see how far he can get – although Mr Beal said he will be stopping for the odd breather, or to stretch his legs.

The challenge will be taking place this weekend.

Mr Beal said, like many of us, he ‘hates plastic waste’, and has recently launched an initiative called ‘Just Add Water, Not Plastic’, named after his wooden kayak.

He is helping the Marine Conservation Society raise awareness of the problem of littering.

Mr Beal said: “I've been picking up litter for as long as I can remember. I hate it and there is no reason for it in my mind and it may even be hereditary. I remember, as a youngster, my mum picking up some rubbish that someone had thrown out of their car. She threw it back into their car and said 'You do not litter in my county!' Good old Mum!

“For years I've said that if everybody picked up just one piece of rubbish whenever they went out, the world would be a better place.

“Back in the summer I was out kayaking and happened to have a camera on board. I posted this footage online, with the tagline 'One piece at a time.' and was surprised at how many people responded to it. Some people (complete strangers) even messaged me to tell me that I had inspired them to pick up plastic. How cool is that?”

Following the publication of the video, Mr Beal launched the initiative, and he is hoping the 24-hour kayak challenge will help to promote it – and encourage more people to take care of our coastline and seas.

People can follow Mr Beal’s progress over the weekend by live tracking which will be available on his website at www.justaddwaternotplastic.co.uk

For more information about the Marine Conservation Society, visit www.mcsuk.org