Sir,

Inspired by Chris Packham's plea on Friday's Autumnwatch, I took a bag with me on my walk along South Beach this morning, with the aim of collecting some of the plastic rubbish that is so detrimental to marine and bird life.

This was both a dispiriting and uplifting experience.

Dispiriting because within 10 minutes of wandering along the high tide line my large bag was full to the brim with plastic bottles, bottle tops, bags, plant pots, cups, containers and of course string and netting.

Uplifting because I believed that I had really put my walk to good use. The plastic I gathered will not be swallowed by some sea creature or become entangled with the legs of a sea bird.

If only 10 walkers did the same thing every day, it could make a big difference.

Susie Parr,

Castle Hill,