VOLUNTEERS are needed to survey and clean up the region's beaches this weekend.

The effort is part of an annual effort to tackle more than 350 beaches nationwide and is supported by the Prince of Wales, who is president of the Marine Conservation Society, which is organising the event.

He said: "I commend all those who will be taking part in Beachwatch 2005 for their efforts to make our seas and beaches cleaner.

''Thanks to them, I hope we can begin to turn the tide on the litter that despoils so many beaches and threatens the wildlife that depends upon them.

Last year's Beachwatch weekend involved more than 3,000 volunteers, cleaning and surveying 269 beaches and collecting over a quarter of a million items of litter - a clear signal that clean beaches are a matter of high concern to the public, said Prince Charles.

The survey recorded an average of 1,897 items per kilometre surveyed on UK beaches, the equivalent of one piece of litter every 52 centimetres.

* To join the volunteers for Beachwatch in the North-East and North Yorkshire, call (01989) 567807 or visit the Adopt-a-Beach website at www.adoptabeach. org.uk