A MOB of volunteers assembled at short notice to keep Rhyl's beaches clean.

Keith Jones, organiser of the Rhyl group of Surfers Against Sewage, mustered 26 environmentally conscious residents in the pouring rain for a "flash mob" to tidy up the town's waterfront following the four day Continental Market at the Events Arena.

Mr Jones said: "It was a bit of a last minute decision really.

“A few of us out walking on the Friday, while the promenade was busy with the market, and noticed a build-up of small scale rubbish on the beach. Things like bottle caps, cigarette ends, straws and wet wipes - stuff most people probably wouldn't notice, but closer up it looked a mess.

"All contain plastic - what we call ‘single use’ plastic - and although used just the once, when discarded thoughtlessly it will be around for up to 500 years or so.

"So while the weather was nice we thought we'd organise a last minute clean up. We try to d0o something unique with each clean to keep people interested, so the flash mob angle keeps it fresh."

The clean up was organised within 48 hours, with Simon Jones of the Pro Kitesurfing Centre,offered his café as a base and volunteers collecting 50kg of small items between Splash Point and the Events Arena.

While a flash mob is a large impromptu public gathering that appears seemingly random, there was a lot more work behind the scenes for Mr Jones and the event was carefully managed.

Mr Jones added: "While it was a flash mob for the volunteers, I can't organise a beach clean without doing making sure no shortcuts are taken on the correct safety considerations.

As a way of saying thank you to volunteers who showed up in the rain, a raffle was held with the top prize a bottle of prosecco, which was won by volunteer, town and county councillor Brian Blakeley.

The flash mob was also a chance to promote the group’s greater aim, of making Rhyl one of the first locations in Wales to be declared a ‘Plastic Free Community’.

Mr Jones said: “We already have the support of the Town Council and several schools and community groups, and all we need now to gain accreditation is to increase the number of businesses we have on board. Basically, they sign up to a promise to remove at least 3 single use plastic items from their business and where possible, to replace them with sustainable alternatives.

“We already have half a dozen but we need 12 and so if anybody would like to raise their ‘plastic free’ profile and help our town to become a ‘plastic free community’ we’d be happy to hear from them."

For more information contact Mr Jones on 07901821351.