People are being encouraged to take part in beach cleanups around the country this weekend.

The Big Beach Clean is part of an International initiative, which saw 18 million pounds of rubbish collected last year.

#BigBeachClean16 is almost here, be sure to share your clean ups with @CleanCoasts and plz complete your data cards! pic.twitter.com/FmwqHTzQIv

— Clean Coasts (@CleanCoasts) September 15, 2016

Clean-ups are taking place in 130 areas around Ireland and volunteers will also complete surveys of the type and amount of litter collected.

Details of events and how you can help are listed on the website of cleanup organiser, Clean Coasts.

Manager Sinead McCoy said anyone can get involved.

“We have so many clean-up groups who are actually doing this kind of action the whole way through the year,

“Our Clean Coast volunteers are amazing at creating a sense of community at the coast, and creating ownership and maintaining and protecting their coastline.

“They are the wealth of the programme – everything we do is really down to them. It’s great that they get out and do these clean-ups.

“We would encourage as many people as possible to get involved and take part.”