Most children would be horrified at the idea of litter picking during their school holiday.

But two girls, five-year-old Ivy and Nancy, aged eight, took it in their stride to spend time clearing Minnis Bay.

After just 45-minutes - the pair had cleaned up a load of plastic, as well as 10 Costa coffee cups.

Mum Lucy Baker said: "We passed a garage sale in Minnis Bay and the girls saw two long-reach grabbers and wanted them - at 50p each I said yes.

"We hit the beach that afternoon and I suggested to the girls we do our bit for our beautiful beach and get as much litter as we could.

"They both had a carrier bag tied to their scooter and we set about grabbing litter!

"Nancy was reluctant at first, but I could tell with encouragement she would start to love it, it was actually like watching them on a treasure hunt.

"Each lid brought squeals of delight.The girls really helped each other too.

"I want to encourage kids of all ages to do this and help to preserve our local areas.

"I spoke to one beach-hut couple and they said that the amount of disposable bbqs left at the end of a day is unreal.

"Not to mention beer bottles, crisp packets and other plastics."

The trio found a radiator cap, a soap dish, three bottles of suncream, 10 costa coffee cups, a broken kids bucket and lots of other plastic.

Lucy added: "We drive home and the girls were so excited to show their dad. It was a super way to spend a Sunday evening. And the best bit, they didn’t argue or whinge once!"

Nancy was pleased to help clear up the coastline.

She said: "I was unsure to start with because I was worried my friends might see me, I felt a bit embarrassed.

“I was getting litter from in-between the huts and grabbing the takeaway coffee cups and I suddenly started to enjoy it, I didn’t feel embarrassed anymore.

“I was talking to a nice beach-hut owner and she gave me an idea of where to look. She said that there were lots of coffee cups a few huts down and she hadn’t been able to get to them. Because I had a grabber I knew I would be able to get them and I got all 10!”

“Litter picking is good for the environment and I know that birds and fish can eat plastic and rubbish – and by helping to clean Minnis Bay I know that I am helping look after the sea life and the environment”