Chips wash up on Eastbourne beach and prompt local clean-up

Volunteers have been removing thousands of bags of chips that washed ashore near Eastbourne after shipping containers carrying food and packaging came ashore, and officials warned the debris and plastics could harm wildlife and water quality.

Volunteers have been removing large amounts of cooking-chip bags and associated plastic from Falling Sands, near Beachy Head. The debris arrived after several shipping containers containing food and packaging came ashore in the area. Eastbourne Borough Council said the plastic had largely been removed by volunteers. Maritime agencies surveyed the coast and salvage specialists have been assisting the shipping company to clear debris. Known details: - Thousands of bags of chips and clear plastic bags were reported on the shoreline after containers came ashore near Seaford and other parts of the Sussex coast. - Volunteers organised via social media helped collect and remove much of the visible plastic; one volunteer reported stacks about 0.5m high in places and said she removed a couple of hundred bags on the first day. - Eastbourne Borough Council said the plastic had largely been removed by volunteers, and East Sussex County Council has been working with maritime salvage specialists Brand Marine and the shipping company. - The HM Coastguard said an aircraft surveyed the area and that a container off Littlehampton was recovered; previously washed-up containers at other Sussex locations are being monitored. - Wildlife responders reported risks from decomposing potatoes to local water quality and to scavengers that might ingest high-starch food or plastic bags. Summary: The immediate visible debris on the beach was largely cleared by volunteers and operations involving salvage teams and local councils are ongoing. Officials and wildlife groups reported potential risks to water quality and animals, and coastal monitoring and clearance work continue.