READING glasses and a harmonica were among the wacky items picked up by volunteers as they gave the seafront a spring clean.

Almost 200 volunteers donned rubber gloves and descended on Hove beach to collect as much litter as they could find for The Big Beach Clean-Up The event was organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) in partnership with high street giant Marks and Spencer.

They were joined by Mayor Brian Fitch and members of the local Rotary club along with other community groups to help keep the beach clean and protect the marine wildlife.

Litter-pickers set off from the King Alfred Leisure Centre and made their way along the beach towards Hove Lawns.

Unusual items such as reading glasses, a harmonica and a single sock were discovered as more than 50 bags of rubbish were removed from the seafront.

Following the clean up, volunteers were able to relax on deckchairs and enjoy entertainments including giant versions of popular party games.

Matthew Rowlin, store manager at Marks and Spencer Brighton, said: “The Big Beach Clean-up is all about bringing the local community together to help protect marine life and the environment and it was fantastic to see people working together, having fun and supporting such a great cause.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who gave up their time to help tidy Hove beach.”

The Big Beach Clean-up was one of almost 150 taking places at beaches and canals across the country in a bid to protect local marine life on May 13.

Samantha Fanshawe, MCS chief executive, said: “The Big Beach Clean-up has grown year on year, involving thousands of amazing volunteers ready to don gloves and bags and pick up the rubbish left behind by others, washed down from rivers or discarded from fishing boats and ships.

“Beach litter levels around the UK are sadly increasing – by over 6% according to our most recent UK survey.

“This fantastic partnership between M and S, charities and communities raises awareness of the issue and the need for nationwide action across government, industry and voluntary sectors to stop litter at source.”