TWO beaches on the east Cleveland and North Yorkshire border are cleaner and tidier thanks to the weekend efforts of volunteers.

Clean-ups of Runswick Bay and Staithes beaches were organised by the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast group as part of the Marine Conservation Society's Adopt A Beach initiative.

Volunteers from Staithes blew their Christmas cobwebs away by taking part in the clean-up early on Saturday, while on Sunday, at Runswick Bay, it was down to project officers from the coast group to do the work.

Project officer Liz Kelly said: "The one at Staithes went very well. We had quite a few young people and a couple of families.

"The surveys are done four times a year to keep an eye on what is being found on the beaches. This time there was just litter, plastic, and debris."

The beach cleans are part of an environmental improvement and conservation initiative along the coastline from Saltburn to Scarborough.

The results of the survey will now be passed to the Marine Conservation Society for use in its campaign to raise awareness about marine debris issues.