A full barbecue set was among the unusual items uncovered during a giant beach clean-up yesterday in Nairn.
Public-spirited locals collected more than 60 binbags of detritus from the community’s beaches and riverside areas and the organisers were thrilled that 61 individuals made the effort in the middle of winter.
Nairn Sailing club also joined the operation to clear the shoreline of rubbish and power-washed the Coastguard cabin as part of the day’s meticulous activity.
It was a combined beach litter-pick and fun art competition, with a number of participants looking forward to converting some of the debris into art that will be displayed at a later date.
The best exhibits will be awarded prizes in separate competitions for under-16s and older.
The winners will receive free sailing club taster sessions on anything from a dinghy to a 40ft yacht.
Simon Noble of environmental group, Green Hive, said: “It was a fantastic turnout, mostly [comprised of] members of the sailing club and kayak club of Green Hive, but others as well.
“We covered the central and east beaches and the dunes and both sides of the river, all the way to Riverside Park and also the harbour.
“It wasn’t that surprising to find a traffic cone. We also discovered a signpost that said ‘no unauthorised people beyond this point’ and a complete barbecue.”
He added: “What we have planned is an ideas workshop where people can come along, not so much to make their pieces, but to get ideas for what they could do with things they have found that they thought were interesting.”
A submission date for entries to the exhibition has still to be arranged, but entrants do not need to attend the workshop to submit pieces for the display.
The showcase is scheduled for the Wasps’ Links Studio in Nairn on January 8.