Photographs show crews clearing plastic nurdles from West Norfolk beach following North Sea tanker collision

Photographs have been released showing contractors using a mechanical vacuum to remove plastic nurdles from beaches following the North Sea tanker collision.

West Norfolk Council appointed spill response company Oracle to carry out the work at Brancaster, Titchwell and a stretch from Holme to Old Hunstanton.

The images show crews at Brancaster yesterday, while they are at Titchwell today before they tackle the Old Hunstanton to Holme stretch tomorrow.

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

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

Cllr Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment and coastal at the borough council, said yesterday: “We continue to approach landowners across our coastline to get their feedback on the plastic nurdle issue on their beaches and to see how we can support them.

“Our cleanup teams have done an incredible job removing some of the bigger burnt nurdle masses but this machine should help as we move to the next phase of our beach cleanup of this pollution.

“I would like to remind our residents that, although nurdles are not toxic, they can present a risk to wildlife if ingested. Please keep dogs on leads for now.

“Don’t touch any nurdles you find. We are doing regular beach surveys of the beaches in our area to identify areas that need cleaning.”