I was happy to join the Islay Development Initiative's latest beach clean at the big strand on Islay today. Having clean and tidy beaches is not just important to our fast growing tourist industry but also for we local residents.

Currently there are over 5 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean and unfortunately some of that is making it's way to our shores everyday. Our famous Islay beaches must not be allowed to be steadily covered in plastic debris.

A huge thanks to all of volunteers and staff members who help contributed to the beach clean.

Cllr Alastair Redman