A BUCKET and spade bin to encourage the reuse of beach toys has been unveiled at Barry Island ahead of August bank holiday weekend.

The measure is the latest in a series of initiatives designed to cut littering and single use plastics at the resort by the Vale council.

The ‘bin’ is made of entirely recycled materials and can be found at one of the main ramps leading to the beach.

Vale council leader, Cllr Neil Moore said: “The Vale of Glamorgan Council declared a climate emergency in July and in line with this has taken a series of measures recently that are designed to cut the use of single use plastics.

“It is a real shame to see buckets, spades and other beach toys thrown in the bin at the end of the day, or worse left on the beach.

"Now if people don’t want to take theirs home they can leave it for others to enjoy.

“This is just one of several great ideas suggested by the many active community groups that we are lucky to work with.

"Particular credit should go to Friends of Barry Beaches, Beautiful Barry and Barrybados - all of whom are working hard to make Barry Island not only the most famous seaside resort in Wales, but also the cleanest.”

The bucket and spade bin is part of the same Bin It! campaign that saw a 100 metre wide sand art message unveiled earlier this week to raise awareness of how visitors can dispose of their litter responsibly.