THE 'disgusting' mess left by beach-goers at Wirral beauty spots over May’s first Bank Holiday weekend was not to be repeated second time round, as extra bins meant areas were kept clean and tidy.

The council has thanked visitors, volunteers and staff for directing litter to the bin and not the floor at popular spots like New Brighton and West Kirby during the most recent Bank Holiday festivities.

It comes after the local authority announced it would crack down on hot weather litterbugs who left 'disgusting' messes at the borough’s beaches earlier in May.

On Tuesday, Cllr Matthew Patrick, cabinet member for environment, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all visitors, volunteers and staff who help keep our beaches clean.

“I joined many thousands of people at New Brighton beach for the sunny Bank Holiday weekend and it was beautiful.

“Extra bins were put in place by the council, but it was because people care about keeping our streets and beaches clean that they were used so well.”

It comes after two jumbo waste bins were introduced in West Kirby and New Brighton last week as part of the council’s response to complaints about overflowing bins during the early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Cllr Patrick had said he was “horrified” at complaints over rubbish piled up alongside overflowing bins, as on the beach and pavements.

It was announced the big red bins will be delivered at the start of every weekend to the beaches and promenades, to add to the skips and public bins already on site.

With events such as the Tall Ships Regatta and the opening of the ‘Baltic Market-style’ Marine Street Social happening in New Brighton last weekend, all eyes were on whether the litter problem could be solved.

Speaking on Tuesday, Cllr Patrick added: “A special thank you to local volunteer groups who work so hard all year round to pick up litter and keep our beaches clean.

“Wirral is a beautiful place to live and work and this weekend showed why.”