Once strewn with rubbish, seaweed and completely green, the beach on the Ards Peninsula has seen a vast improvement since Deborah Mann organised a community clean-up.

Living in Millisle for over 40 years, Deborah was prompted by her husband Gary to post a notice on Facebook to organise a village beach clean.

Efforts to tidy the beach then moved on to improving the general surroundings, with John McLean (80) taking to weeding the surrounding area.

Overseeing the efforts, liaising with the council and providing well-earned drinks to volunteers is Deborah.

“It was actually my husband Gary Mann to prompted this, he has been litter picking for a long time,” said the Co Down woman.

“He enjoys doing it, loves being on the beach. On July 15 — he doesn’t do social media — he said to me to stic

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