Thousands of pink bottles wash up on beach in Cornwall
Thousands of bright pink plastic detergent bottles have washed up on a beach in Cornwall.
They started washing ashore at Poldhu Cove on the Lizard on Sunday, and National Trust volunteers have been clearing them away.
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It is believed they may pose a risk to wildlife, and the National Trust think it's possible a container may have gone overboard from a ship during recent stormy weather.
Speaking to the BBC, Justin Whitehouse, from the National Trust, said: "The main worry is all that detergent going into our beautiful marine environment, but thankfully most are full.
"We think it's a container that has gone overboard from a container ship, during stormy seas."
Images from the scene have been shared on Twitter.
The Poldhu Beach Cafe wrote: "Mysterious Pink Bottles (sealed) washed up on Poldhu Cove, Cornwall today! Anyone have any idea where they are from?"
Mysterious Pink Bottles (sealed) washed up on Poldhu Cove, Cornwall today! Anyone have any idea where they are from? pic.twitter.com/ozwRcjLLZv
— POLDHU BEACH CAFE (@Poldhu) January 3, 2016
The National Trust also shared updates:
Thank you to all the volunteers helping @NTLizard clear up thousands of pink bottles washed up on Poldhu beach. pic.twitter.com/usIC853a91
— NT Press Office (@NTPressOffice) January 5, 2016
First batch of pink bottles collected from Poldhu; 2000+ and counting. @WMNNews@mcsuk@SWCornwallNTpic.twitter.com/THtqJdZdJX
— Lizard NT (@LizardNT) January 4, 2016
Is this the vessel responsible for the pink tide? DS Blue Ocean lost a container of detergent May 15. @BBCNewspic.twitter.com/XOLAXSgTA6
— Lizard NT (@LizardNT) January 5, 2016
According to ITV News, Cornwall Council has said it will be monitoring beaches in the area and has urged the public to keep away from the bottles, unless they're part of the National Trust beach clean.
A spokesman said: "The public is advised to keep children and dogs at a safe distance from the bottles should any more be washed up. No attempt should be made to recover the bottles."