TWO branches of a funeral directors came together to clean up a beach.

Co-op Funeral Care staff from Ulverston and Barrow joined forces a they swept up items from Rampside beach.

It was a bright and bracing day as they cleared rubbish from one of Furness's most picturesque locations.

Funeral director from Barrow Sacha Hamlin was pleased by the hard work of the team.

She said: "A the Co-op we are always thinking of ways to help the community.

" The beach is a really nice place to come and it was in need of a clean-up.

"There were old packets and bits of plastic, needles - things you really don't want to be there.

"Being on a beach we were also conscious about what was going in the water.

"It was important that we picked up things that get in the water and harm fish in the water.

"It was a great effort from everyone. I hope the beach stays clean. People should take responsibility for things they drop."

She said the Co-op was always keen to keep the streets tidy and is looking to do more clean-ups having asked the council to pinpoint some of Barrow's most unkempt locations.

The beach clean-up was another example of the shining community spirit The Mail’s Big Clean campaign aims to harness.

In collaboration with The Westmorland Gazette, the campaign aims to encourage our local communities to take pride in the areas where they live.

The campaign, sponsored by Kimberly Clark and Spirit Energy, calls upon schools, community groups, businesses, resident associations and individuals to rid our streets of litter and rubbish.

To get involved and for help to organise your own litter pick email Vanessa.Sims@newsquest.co.uk or call 01229 840150.