VOLUNTEERS will be carrying out litter picks on two Teesside beaches and are inviting members of the public to join them.

The action is being taken by marine conservation charity Sea Shepherd UK and is part of its marine debris campaign.

The aim is to educate the public about plastics which wash up on the UK’s beaches and the dangers they can cause to sea birds and mammals.

The charity said almost 90 per cent of waste floating in the world’s oceans was plastic and 50 per cent of that was from single-use sources such as plastic drinks bottles, cotton bud sticks.

Beach cleans will be taking place at North Gare and Seaton Carew on Saturday March 10 and at Redcar the following day, Sunday the 11th.

Wayne Mitchell, a senior volunteer with Sea Shepherd UK, said: “Our aim is to get as many local people to join us in removing litter from the beach.

“They are a great opportunity for local people to meet others in their area who share a passion for clean seas.

“We will also be using the opportunity to discuss how local people can make small changes in their everyday life to reduce the amount of plastic that is entering our oceans.”

On the Saturday volunteers should meet at noon outside the Frutarom entrance in North Gare, the postcode is TS25 2DT for sat nav.

On Sunday the meeting place is the vertical pier on Redcar seafront at 2.30pm.

Bags will be provided and sensible shoes/footwear should be worn.