RUBBISH collected by Ayr Rotary at the 12th annual beach clean made up some 50 per cent of the plastic display on the One Show.

Following a request from the BBC, some 405 bags, (3-4 tonnes) were sent to the London studios from the Dipple Beach, cleaned every year, and the Dowhill to Turnberry shore, which has never been cleaned.

Both beaches produced the same percentage of plastic litter, 93 per cent to non plastic, seven per cent. In total 926 bags of rubbish were collected from Ballantrae to Troon.

James Begg, of Ayr Rotary, said: “ What a magnificent turnout and performance at the Twelfth Big Rotary Beach Clean - coordinated annually by the Rotary Club of Ayr. This was the biggest and best ever.

"As predicted, the BBC’s Blue Planet series had galvanised public awareness into action and brought out a record 460 volunteers - including Scouts, Boys Brigade, school children, parents, pensioners, and a large squad of SAC employees - to help the Rotary Clubs to remove a record 926 bag equivalents of beach rubbish from Ayrshire beaches.

"The large turnout of SAC volunteers allowed Ayr Rotary Club, to clear seven beaches, including for the first time the fine 2km long beach from Dowhill to Turnberry - in addition to those at Newton, Seafield, Bracken Bay, Dunure, Croy and Dipple.

“With Ayr Rotary finding it possible this year to split beach rubbish easily into plastic and non-plastic - and with recycling feedback from the BBC - the hope is that the Rotary Clubs may be able to work closely in future years with South Ayrshire Council Waste Dept, to ensure that all the beach plastic collected will go for recycling, instead of landfill.

“We will continue to welcome the great assistance of half a dozen environmentally conscious farmers and landowners who now help with tractors and trailers at this huge annual event.

"Their contribution is much valued because they convey the filled bags from the beaches to the roads from where South Ayrshire Council lift them.

“Many of the town beaches of Troon, Prestwick, Ayr, Doonfoot, and Girvan are now much cleaner prior to our Annual Rotary Beach Clean, thanks to the great efforts of small groups of local residents to do regular litter picking. Consequently, this sterling work will now allow us to send out more effective squads to remoter shores such as Dowhill.

“But everyone is urged to Please Keep Our Beaches Clean and save our environment”