Beachgoers have been criticised after leaving tonnes of rubbish spilling over bins and on the streets near the shores in Edinburgh.
Over the weekend, hundreds of people flocked to the beaches in Edinburgh and East Lothian to enjoy the sun and bask in temperatures of over 25℃.
However, those who visited places like Portobello and North Berwick, ended up leaving a mountain of rubbish behind, overflowing bins and crushing cans into the pavement.
People crammed in plastic bags, various cans of alcohol, and even portable tents on their way home from the beaches at the weekend, much to the despair of council workers who are required to clear up after them.
Callum Laidlaw, Conservative and Unionist Councillor for Portobello and Craigmilar, said: "The attitude of some beach-goers this weekend was completely unacceptable.
"Leaving litter behind, urinating in closes and pilling rubbish on already full bins is not only unsightly but a hazard to others as well as our wildlife and pets.
"If you are going to the beach please dispose of your litter in an empty bin, or better yet, take it home.
"I will be asking for more on-the-spot fines to be issued to deter this disgusting behaviour."
This news comes after the increase in police patrols at beaches across the UK to break up large crowds, due to the coronavirus restrictions that were in place until today.
Level Zero restrictions come into play from today, but with some curfews and limitations on large crowds for the foreseeable future.
Police had to break up a fight between local yobs at Portobello beach at the weekend, and they warned the public they will be upping their number of patrols due to incidents such as this one.
Cllr Karen Doran, Environment Vice-Convener, said: “We regularly visit our beach locations to remove litter and empty our bins. And we have a dedicated resource that maintains Portobello beach.
"We would ask visitors who enjoy our beaches to please respect them by binning their litter or taking it home with them.”
