HELENSBURGH’S first community beach clean since the summer of 2019 was held on Saturday morning - and judging by the number of people who took part, the pandemic lockdown has had no effect on the enthusiasm of residents for keeping the shoreline clean.

The event was organised by Helensburgh Community Council, who have been holding regular clean-ups along the stretch of shore immediately west of Helensburgh pier for some years, but who have been unable to do so until now in 2020 because of lockdown restrictions.

But with social distancing being observed by all, the short, sharp two-hour clean-up saw plenty of litter and debris picked up from the shore and removed into a waiting skip by David Howie of Drumfork Livery.

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Among those showing their community spirit were several employees from supermarket chain Morrisons, who will be opening up at the former home of Waitrose on Cardross Road later this year and who are currently recruiting for more than 150 roles at the store.

Norman Muir, the community council’s convener, said afterwards: “We are deeply appreciative of the volunteer spirit and effort that everyone displayed in the work they carried out.”

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