Small pieces of plastic from North Sea tanker collision wash up on Old Hunstanton and Holme coastline

Small pieces of plastic believed to have come from the North Sea tanker collision last week have washed up on the West Norfolk coastline.

Dog owners have been advised to keep their pets on leads while walking on the beaches at Old Hunstanton and Holme while HM Coastguard officers carry out a clean-up.

The MV Solong and the US-chartered Stena Immaculate collided in the sea at Humberside last Monday morning, with “vile” smells reaching our area and concerns raised for the impact on wildlife in The Wash.

Now, West Norfolk Council has released a statement saying: “Some small pieces of plastic, known as ‘nurdles’, have washed up on our coastline at Old Hunstanton and Holme.

“We believe they have come from the tanker collision in the North Sea last week, and we and our partner agencies are working to clear them up.

“They are not toxic but can present a risk if ingested so we would recommend keeping dogs on a lead in this area for the time being.”

Nurdles are small pellets of plastic resin used in plastics production, sized between 1-5mm and weighing less than a gram.

Nurdles are not toxic but they can present a risk to wildlife if ingested.

Chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “Yesterday the RNLI advised the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) of a sighting in waters just off The Wash of a sheen that we now know to be plastic nurdles.

“This was confirmed by aerial surveillance flights and other assets have subsequently been deployed. Some nurdles have now also been identified on the shore.

"Retrieval has started today. This is a developing situation and the Transport Secretary continues to be updated regularly.”