FRESH from helping to win a beach award for Irvine last week, the town's Clean Up Crew faced a massive challenge over the weekend.

The glorious weather attracted thousands to Irvine beach - and many of them left the sands in a proper state.

Amongst the many items left dumped on the beach were 149 disposable vapes.

The group posted on Facebook at the weekend: "Thank you to everyone who respects Irvine beach and takes their rubbish home with them.

"Unfortunately not everybody does and with this fabulous weather we've been having, the beach has been very busy.

"In the last 48 hours, since we found out that the beach was a Keep Scotland Beautiful award beach for 2023, our volunteers, alongside John who drives the Streetscene tractor have collected a lot of waste.

"Some 73 bags of litter, over 60 towels, a fair amount of clothing items and 149 disposable vapes.

"Please take your litter and belongings home when you leave so that Irvine Beach can look as fabulous as it does first thing in the morning."

As well as more beach cleaning on Sunday morning, some of the volunteers tidied up the river area in the afternoon

They posted: "Home for a wee rest after the beach and back out this afternoon to tackle the river. Seven volunteers met up with the @rubbishpaddlers to try and clear the Riverbank of plastic and other waste.

"We managed 12 bags from the bushes and gave plenty of plastic bottles to the rubbish paddlers who are going to use them for a school project soon.

"Thank you to everyone who came along. We really appreciate it."

There will be another group litter pick on Sunday, June 11 at the Circuit, from 1am. All welcome and all equipment provided.

More information can be found on the Clean Up Crew's Twitter and Facerbook pages.