MILLIONS of Brits, planning staycations and day trips to the beach this summer, are urged to protect the coast.

The new campaign by the Ocean Conservation Trust, spearheaded by BenFogle, urges people to pick up five pieces of litter when leaving the beach.

Experts are predicting that Britain is expecting a boom in domestic holidays due to travel restrictions abroad and this “Staycation Summer” will see more Brits swap overseas trips for holidays a little closer to home.

Working with Plymouth-based global charity the Ocean Conservation Trust and Plymouth Gin, Ben Fogle is driving awareness of the importance of a healthy ocean.

According to new research, it’s clear that Britain’s beaches have a special place in our hearts and minds – three in four people say the beach makes them happy and an astounding 95 per cent have happy memories linked to the seaside.

In fact Brits believe that views of the seaside make them happier than any other view in the UK.

With seven months being the average length of time since Brits last saw the sea,?and 71 per cent of us set to visit the coast this summer, it’s more important than ever to keep our beaches clean.

The launch of the campaign is sure to find favour with Brits as research shows the biggest annoyance for people at the seaside is litter left on the beach (68 per cent). Moreover, although the majority of the nation is aware of beach pollution (88 per cent), most people say they need to learn more.

Ben says of the campaign: “The beautiful British coastline is shaped by the ocean that supports the rich variety of life on our planet, and I want to keep it that way.

“I spent much of my childhood, just along the coast from Plymouth and I even rowed the Atlantic, so the ocean has been a huge part of my own life.

“This summer, millions of us, myself included, will make a trip to the seaside. “There are some things we can’t control, but we can all do our bit this summer.

"There are more than 100 million beach visits every year - if we all picked up five pieces of litter on every visit, that’s more than 500 million less pieces of rubbish on the beach.”

Nicola Bridge from the OCT says: “The sea makes half of the oxygen that we breathe and drives our weather and climate. Even when you can’t see it, it’s a vital part of life – we’re all connected to our ocean in some way!

“With millions of us expected to flock to our coastline this ‘staycation summer’, we’re calling on everyone who goes to do their bit.”

For more sustainable hints and tips from Plymouth Gin and the Ocean Conversation Trust, and to learn more about how you can do your bit, visit www.plymouthgin.com .