I really enjoyed my couple of hours with many others on Brighton beach last Tuesday.

The idea was to help clean up any rubbish. But what rubbish? Because of a dismal weekend weather-wise, we must have walked the best part of a mile on one of Europe’s cleanest beaches.

At one point I found myself engaged in a stand-off with another volunteer over a plastic bottle top.

I did stand down and let the spoils go to my fellow volunteer, only to be rewarded with a sweet wrapper minutes later.

Joking apart, the reason for the event was admirable and should be encouraged.

I unfortunately missed out on Mr Cheesman’s kind bacon sarnie offer as I had a job parking. Let’s not get into that.

I made it in time for the health and safety announcement about dead seagulls and such, which was amusing.

I will do my utmost to join this band of merry cleaners next time, armed with my (supplied) gloves, bags and picky-up thingy.

As for another idea, I would love to help scrub our city’s statues. When they are scaffolded, I will gladly take up my bucket and brush away for civic pride.

Chris Pobjoy, Old Shoreham Road, Portslade