There is a chance to help restore three Thanet beaches to their pristine glory this weekend.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is calling on coastal community volunteers to roll up their sleeves in the wake of the winter storms and head down to their nearest Big Spring Beach Clean to help clear up marine litter.

Cotton bud sticks, shipping crates, carrier bags, water bottles, fishing netting and cigarette butts are among the clutter to be washed up on our shores.

So this February SAS called on beach lovers across the country to respond to this crisis and to register their favourite beaches as part of the Big Spring Beach Clean.

The Thanet beaches which have been included are Joss Bay, on Friday, March 28, Walpole Bay on Saturday, March 29, and Viking Bay on Sunday, March 30. Each session runs from 2pm to 4pm.

Visit www.sas.org.uk/events/, email beachcleans@sas.org.uk or telephone 01872 553001 to volunteer to take part.

Surfers Against Sewage have provided lead volunteers with beach clean equipment and full health and safety, public liability and event organisation support.

SAS chief executive Hugo Tagholm said: “The marine litter crisis poses an unprecedented threat to the sustainability of our marine environments. a threat that the world is only just waking up to.

“This March when more than 120 coastal communities unite during our Big Spring Beach Clean to confront the marine litter crisis we hope to turn that awakening into action.”