Famous campaigner leads the way

Mr Bellamy, well-known for radio and TV appearances, headed a group of about 50 people who scoured the shoreline for wildlife and rubbish.

They were successful on both counts after setting off from the Pagham Spit car park. Some 25-30 shark egg cases were found, with little rays living in them, while four black bags of general debris were collected.

In the party were members of the local community, including Pagham Parish Council chairman Ray Radmall and vice-chairman Sandy Black as well as Pagham Harbour nature reserve's wardens.

The activities on Monday took place during a visit by Mr Bellamy to Church Farm Holiday Park.

The Haven Holidays' location on Church Lane has achieved the David Bellamy gold conservation award for the tenth consecutive year.

Mr Bellamy said: 'My award scheme has grown and grown and grown like topsy. It's all about making the sites good neighbours.

'They provide jobs and bring people into areas and we have to make sure all the plants and animals which should be l iving on them are able to do so.

'Church Farm is a wonderful site, with the nature reserve next door. People come on holiday to lift their spirits and this site enables them to do that.'

Church Farm general manager Andy Pope said he was committed to making the site as environmentally friendly as possible.

He was proud the gold conservation award had been achieved for ten years in a row in the holiday location's 70th anniversary year.

Work, such as replacing fences with hedges, was going on all the time to improve its environmental credentials, he said.

Recyclable bags, water-saving devices in the caravans and low-energy light bulbs are standard.