Brighton beach-goers left a record 23 tonnes of litter behind them last weekend (18 - 19 August), according to figures released by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Extra measures were taken in anticipation of the beach’s busiest period – including the employment of seasonal staff and installation of 60 new seafront bins, but the beach was left covered in plastic bags, drink bottles and other debris.
Councillor Ollie Sykes described the volume of litter to the BBC as "astonishing".
"Last weekend [it] was wonderful that so many people came, but very depressing that the beaches looked so awful at the end of it," he said.
"The beaches looked like landfill sites. They [the beach goers] wouldn't do this to their own streets and their own back gardens.
"If someone leaves litter on the beach then other people do as well," he added.
79 of the UK’s beaches have been given Blue Flag awards this year, including two of Brighton’s beaches. These are awarded to coastal destinations that have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities and environmental education.
The council urged people to use the bins or take rubbish home with them for disposal after enjoying the beach.
