PEOPLE power descended on Minehead beach at the weekend as more than 70 volunteers got stuck in with buckets and spades to move nearly 100 tons of sand from 400 metres of the Esplanade.

They were answering a call from three West Somerset councillors for a massive unofficial clean-up to move mounds of sand up to three feet deep in time for the major holiday season, after a lack of official action.

Cabinet member Karen Mills said she and Cllrs Andrew Hadley and Richard Lillis were delighted and overwhelmed by the response to her appeal in June 24’s Free Press.

“We had wondered if anyone would turn up, but the crowd just grew and grew and everyone was really keen to get stuck in,” she said.

“Andrew, Richard and I were there as private individuals concerned about the state of the seafront and the criticism we are getting from holidaymakers and residents.

“We all love Minehead and want to make sure it looks its best. Now we know that a lot of people feel the same way.”

Karen said she appreciated that district council budget cuts meant that most of the money allocated for Minehead sand clearance had already been spent.

“We hoped that people would be prepared to muck in and help – and they absolutely exceeded our expectations,” Karen said. “I saw holiday-makers getting into the spirit of the thing and chucking sand over the wall!

“We had people of all ages and there was a lovely community spirit. Every bucketful of sand made a difference.”

Karen said they would like to thank local businesses for their support, particularly Eagle Plant and CJ Lynch for the loan of equipment and Butlins and Tesco for providing refreshments.

After the efforts on Saturday and Sunday, there is still an estimated 50 tons of sand left to move from that stretch of Esplanade and Karen is inviting public-spirited volunteers to turn up again on the morning of Saturday July 23 from 10am to finish the job.