STAFF from a travel company left the office behind and headed to Brighton beach to carry out a huge clean-up operation, removing two bags full of litter from the shores.

Working with Brighton and Hove Cityclean, Rickshaw Travel’s team of warriors took to the beach to collect litter, from needles and used nappies to discarded plastic bottles and bags.

On an average day. beach cleaners at Brighton Beach can expect to pick up 40 tonnes of rubbish in as little as two days, and a maximum of 400 kilos on a normal day.

This beach clean took place ahead of World Oceans Day, a national awareness day that celebrates the world’s oceans, with a particular spotlight on preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

Rickshaw Travel is an independent tour operator based in New England Street, Brighton.

Protecting nature and wildlife whilst encouraging travellers to do the same is at the core of Rickshaw Travel’s company ethos.

Blanca Balaguer, marketing communications specialist, said “Although it was upsetting to see the amount of rubbish on the beach, it was extremely rewarding to remove two bags’ worth that ultimately would have ended up in the ocean.

“As a company, we pride ourselves on providing responsible travel experiences in the countries that our travellers can visit and it is right that we do our best to lead the way with similar regard to our beautiful environment here at home, in Brighton.”

More than 12.2 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans each year.

It is believed that only one per cent of this is seen floating on ocean surfaces, while 94 per cent of this waste ends up on the sea floor.

The highest concentration of plastic waste is found on beaches, threatening 31 species of marine mammals and 100 species of birds.