A GIRVAN man has been recognised for his ‘exceptional efforts’ for organised regular beach cleans along the coast.

Alistair Wallace, who has been arranging regular Girvan Rotary beach cleaning activities for a number of years, was presented with the Keep Scotland Beautiful Spring Clean Award, named ‘Spring Clean Hero’ for his exceptional efforts to improving Scotland’s environment.

Throughout Girvan Rotary’s beach clean events, it has grown from cleaning the Girvan South Beach each spring to also cleaning Girvan’s North Beach and this year cleaning the beach at Ballantrae.

To allow this to grow, Mr Wallace had been leafleting houses in Girvan in the hope that the numbers participating would grow – and it did because of the numbers offering their help.

A spokesman for Girvan Rotary, said: “We had Cubs, Scouts, church members, local residents, and even a nursery taking part. The litter came in all shapes and sizes, from plastic bottles to discarded rope, dog poo bags, polystyrene, rags, tyres and loads more.

“It was great to see the dozens of tired, rosy faced, smiling cheeks standing by their sacks of litter and the end of these all-day events. It’s the helpers that make these events a success.

“The good folks of Ballantrae in South Ayrshire under the command of a local scout lady called Kate Thomson had the bright idea to hold a beach bonfire and food event at the end of their beach clean – well done to them.”

Mr Wallace added: “What a wonderful surprise to have won the Spring Clean Hero Award for 2018.”