Seafront traders are backing our campaign to make Brighton beach a glass-free zone.

As crowds soaked up the weekend sun, shops and cafes took delivery of our first batch of posters warning people of the dangers of glass on the pebbles.

Meanwhile, dozens of responsible business people served up drinks to thirsty punters in cans, plastic bottles and plastic cups.

Many had already dealt with small children who had stood on the razor-sharp pieces of glass hidden in the pebbles.

Chairman of the seafront traders' association Dave wholeheartedly backed the campaign after he recently treated a little girl who had trodden on glass.

He said: "Every weekend we see fires on the beach. It seems when people have them, their cans and bottles end in the fire afterwards."

Beryl Wells, 58, who has run The Beach Cafe for 38 years, said: "I have never sold anything in glass bottles or glasses.

"I have seen so many children come in with split toes and fingers. Most of them are hospital jobs.

"In a season, I might see 20 cases. There has been so much publicity lately that sensible mums are keeping the shoes on their children's feet.

"In the shingle, you can't see the glass and if Brighton gets a name for it people will start going to the sand at Littlehampton instead.

"We have a terrific team picking up litter on the beach but they can only pick up so much.

"I come down in the mornings and you can see pieces of glass glistening in the sun. I always pick up any I see.

"We need really big signs saying no glass on the beach."

Pete Avey, 65, who runs the nearby Seasiders Cafe, also never sells glass bottles.

He said: "After the Fatboy Slim concert I said the big problem would be the bits of glass.

"I was a lifeguard here for 20 years from 1963 and glass was not really a problem then. People used to drink mostly inside the pubs.

"It was an offence to break glass on the beach. It was an even bigger offence to bring glass onto the beach, though, where it could be broken.

"It is lovely to sit outside but there is no reason to bring glass on to the beach."

Will McArdle, 27, of the Flex 'n' Fly Jump Zone next to the Palace Pier, was surprised when a few pieces of glass were found near his trampolines.

He said: "The last thing we want is glass on the beach.

"Years ago, my mate gashed his foot right through to the bone due to glass on the beach.

"The sight of that is something that stays right with you."

Alejandro Gamez, 20, who works at Food Glorious Food, said: "I would support the campaign.

"Beaches in Spain are normally sandy. With the pebbles, it is difficult to see the bits of glass."

One trader, who did not want to give her name, was sporting a plaster on the sole of her foot where she had trod on glass on the beach.

She said: "It was quite a long time ago but it is still painful.

"I didn't bother going to hospital but am starting to think I should have gone."

Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove Green Party has also backed The Argus's call to Keep Glass Off The Beach.

Keith Taylor, convenor of the city council's three-strong Green group, criticised the authority for saying the beach had been cleared of glass following last month's Fatboy Slim concert.

He said: "I welcome The Argus's initiative to help clean up the beaches. It is a far more responsible approach than simply denying any problems exist.

"At least the council is now acknowledging there is still glass on the beach following its earlier assurances it was totally safe."