SANDY Bay beach will undergo a clean-up next week when workers at EDF energy pick up litter in a bid to chart washed-up and dropped debris.

SANDY Bay beach will undergo a clean-up next week when workers at EDF energy pick up litter in a bid to chart washed-up and dropped debris.

Some nine workers will next Tuesday gather litter in a bid to glean vital information about the type of rubbish found on beaches.

The information will be used as part of a study run by the Marine Conservation Society to target manufacturers.

Organiser Jo Davies said: "We will be picking up litter in the morning and then moving on to gathering up other bits of rubbish, weighing the total amount found and passing the results on to the Marine Conservation Society.

"It will need a good team effort but we're all looking forward to the challenge."

Jackie Lewis, EDF Energy's community consultant for the South West, said: "Our beach cleaning is an excellent programme for employees to get involved in.

"Not only are they making a difference to the local environment, but it helps educate them on the important issue of waste and the damage it can do to our coast."

EDF Energy teamed up with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and Devon Cliffs Holiday Park to adopt the beach in 2008. Volunteers take part in regular beach cleans throughout the year.

The EDF Energy volunteers' efforts are part of the company's Helping Hands scheme.

The scheme allows all staff at least two days of company time a year to support local community and environmental projects.