Dynamic litter-picking duo tackles estuary by paddleboard, picking up 1,500 litres of rubbish.

The mother and daughter team behind Plastic Clever Salcombe successfully paddled the entire Kingsbridge and Salcombe Estuary raising awareness about ocean pollution on June 8 and 9.

Founder of the Plastic Clever campaign Anna Turns and her six-year-old daughter Ella litter picked from their 14-foot stand-up paddleboard throughout the 21-and-a-half mile journey up all the creeks of the estuary. The tough paddle took two days, beginning on World Oceans Day, Friday, June 8 at 8am, and ending on South Sands beach the following day.

More than 1,500 litres of rubbish was collected over two days including: 205 plastic bottles and lids, 20 plastic bags, 12 coffee cups, nine shoes, seven straws, six balls, five balloons, two crabbing buckets, one wooden ladder, one wheel, one My Little Pony toy, polystyrene and endless rope and fishing line.

The duo engaged more than 150 people directly along the route via beach cleans and fellow paddleboarders on the water. Beach cleans, organised by South Devon AONB included schoolchildren from Salcombe Primary and West Charleton school.

Anna said: “Our two-day paddle and pick event has connected so many people to the issue of plastic pollution on a local level and really shone a spotlight on where the hotspots for plastic pollution are within our beautiful estuary.

“Most often, litter accumulates out of sights away form the sandy beaches and under the tideline of trees in the bag, for example, or among the layers of seaweed at West Charleton marsh.

“On a personal level it was challenging paddling with very windy conditions on both days but we did it and I am so proud of everyone who joined us and helped along the way. As part of Kids Against Plastic, Plastic Clever Salcombe is determined to reduce single-use plastics at source even further and do as much as we can to help protect our coastline now and in the future.

“We were so impressed by how enthusiastically the school children took part in the beach cleans and Kids Against Plastic is of course so much more than just plastic pollution - it’s about engaging the younger generation with our environment and empowering them to make a positive, lasting change in the community.”

To celebrate the completion of the Pick & Paddle, South Sands Hotel hosted a canapés reception where Salcombe & Tonics and an array of Luscombe drinks were served.

Anna and Ella were joined by various change-makers along the way, including microplastics expert Imogen Napper from Plymouth University and Hannah Amor from the new plastics and sustainability team at Environment Agency SW. Also involved were the founders of Davy J swimwear and Riz Boardshorts, two companies working hard to create a more circular economy by reusing waste fishing nets and recycled bottles to make clothing.