A “FRIGHTENING” amount of litter has been cleared from a world famous beauty spot.

284 kilos of ocean plastics was collected last Sunday morning when Barmouth-based Cambrian Beach Guardians descended on Penmaenpool in the Mawddach estuary.

High tides and strong westerlies during November and December had deposited huge amounts of flotsam on the sea side of the Penmaenpool Bridge toll road.

The area which is five miles from the open sea is the first stopping place for seaborne rubbish collecting above the high water mark.

Much of it floats in on the Gulfstream.

Seven ‘guardians’ spent four hours bagging the 264 kilos of waste in an area just 500 yards long.

In the past the group have collected lobster pots tagged in Newfoundland and plastic containers from China, Canada and Spain.

Cambrian Beach guardian Diana Tregenza explained: “11 volunteers joined us to clear the high tide line at Penmaenpool along the toll road in difficult boggy ground.

“Huge thanks to Penmaenpool Toll Bridge for their help and all our willing helpers.

“We cleared a frightening 283.5kg bringing our year total so far to 1,125.5kg, over one tonne in the first few months.”

The group which recently held beach cleans at Llandanwg, Penrhyn, Barmouth, and Penrhyn have been actively helping to ensure local beaches are kept litter free