The National Trust has appointed two volunteer ‘COASTodians’ to help clean and protect a special beach near Pendine.

Morfa Bychan has been blighted by an increase in illegal camping and fly tipping over the past few years and a campaign has now been launched by Simon Hart MP to try to protect the bay.

The National Trust, which owns the bay and the surrounding land, has increased volunteer clean-ups and is also supporting two Whitland residents who have ‘adopted’ the beach.

Nikki Browne and Haydn Owen regularly visit the beach and have recently removed the remains of a burned-out caravan - the second one found on the beach this year.

“We had a brilliant clear-up of the burnt out caravan,” said COASTodian Nikki. “The National Trust organised a few more volunteers, a truck, trailer and two wonderful men with an angle grinder and generator, we all worked hard at clearing it all.”

Camping and day tripping has always happened at the beach, but in the past few years encampments of up to six vehicles have been staying for weeks on end, leaving behind piles of black bin bags, dead trampolines and the unwanted caravans.

“There are also piles of human excrement left behind the water pumping station which Welsh Water workers have to access every day,” said Mr. Hart. “It is quite disgusting for their staff.”

Previous attempts by the National Trust to block off the area have failed and now Carmarthenshire County Council has agreed to explore the possibility of applying for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the lane which could result in a lockable gate being installed.

Mr. Hart is delighted that the area is now being looked after regularly. “Rubbish breeds rubbish and if this beach can be kept wild and beautiful thanks to extra vigilance by the National Trust and brilliant volunteers like Nikki and Haydn then that would be fantastic.”