The MCS is calling for a nationwide campaign against litter on beaches

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) say the South West's beaches have about three pieces of litter per metre (3.3ft), one more than the UK average.

The figures are based on a volunteer litter pick of 62 south-west beaches last autumn.

A third of the 83,000 items found were items left by beach users, such as crisp packets and cigarette ends.

The bulk of the rest was commercial fishing and sewage related debris.

The amount of litter on Britain's beaches has increased by more than 90% since 1994, says the MCS.

The number of cigarette stubs - now the eighth most common item found - had steadily increased over the years and had potential to climb even higher as smoking moves outdoors, said the charity.

MCS is calling for a UK-wide environmental education campaign to change litter-dropping and flushing habits.

The litter project co-ordinator for MCS, Emma Snowden, said many litter items were not just "unsightly" but were made of plastic which persists for many years in the marine environment.

"This should be such an easy environmental issue to resolve and yet the message is still not getting across - everyone must take responsibility to bag it and bin it - never flush it."