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Back in November 2006, Fran aimed to collect 46,000 pieces of rubbish whilst walking on beaches near her home in Suffolk - raising funds for the Marine Conservation Society's Coastal Challenge in the process.

Ten months later, on Wednesday 12 September 2007, Fran picked up her 46,000th piece on a trip to Orford Ness.

"So much rubbish gets washed up there, particularly lightbulbs with unbroken glass for some reason," Fran says. "It was a beautiful sunny day and I picked up over 1000 pieces of rubbish.

"It's the most beautiful spot but the beach is covered with rubbish."

Despite reaching her landmark, Fran remains concerned about the threat posed by rubbish on our county's beaches: "It's just a drop in the ocean. I've collected 46,000 pieces of rubbish but I can still walk on any beach in Suffolk and pick up over 500 pieces."

Plastic remains Fran's number one concern, quoting research which suggests that it takes up to 1000 years for plastic to decompose in the sea - twice as long as on land.

"I'd like people to think twice about the plastic they use - it's fine for things which you'll keep for a long time, but the average plastic bag will only be used for 12 minutes."

One of Fran's recycled souvenir packs

The distance Fran has covered is part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Coastal Challenge which hopes to have enough people taking part to have covered the entire distance around our beautiful UK coastline - 18,470 km (11,477 miles) - and to have raised £50,000 towards their vital work.

Bethan Jones, MCS Litter Projects Co-ordinator said: "Marine litter is a huge global problem which MCS has been tackling for over a decade by co-ordinating the national Adopt-a-Beach and Beachwatch cleanup and survey projects.

"We are really grateful for Fran's support and think that her great idea and original approach will help raise awareness of beach litter. It just goes to show that we can all do our bit to help."

Fran adds: "I have found some pretty amazing things on my walks - as well as the usual hundreds of bottle tops, balloons and bits of fishing line, I have found a crisp packet which is over 32 years old (it had an offer with an end date of 1974!) and a carved plaque which I have traced back to a maritime artist and woodcarver in Annapolis, Maryland, USA."

Plastic litter turned into art

In a further show of environmental awareness, Fran has used collected litter to create pieces of art. These have already been shown at Babylon in Ely and will soon be appearing at Languard Fort in Felixstowe.

More information can be found on Fran's website, which is linked to on the right>>

For further information regarding beach litter and the Coastal Challenge, see www.mcsuk.org or contact the MCS Press Office on 01989 566017.
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The above article was originally written in November 2006 and revisited in September 2007 as Fran reached her target.