Litter in the seas is a ticking time bomb ready to choke marine mammals, turtles and birds, according to campaigners urging thousands of people to join the Clean Coast campaign this week.

Last year more than 4,600 volunteers in 210 community groups collected a staggering 28 tonnes of litter from the marine environment in Northern Ireland.

Coca-Cola Clean Coast Week 2016 is now calling for new recruits to get involved in the clean-ups from tomorrow until May 15.

A joint initiative between Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Coca-Cola, the theme of the 2016 awareness week is: Enjoy Your Beach, Enjoy Your Beach Clean.

Volunteers will organise practical clean-ups to reduce the impact of litter on the marine environment.

Plastic in the sea is now one of the biggets pollution problems in the world for wildlife.

This year’s campaign will run in partnership with An Taisce in the Republic, and there are a range of cross-border activities planned including clean-up events in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough and the opportunity for volunteers to travel to Wexford to carry out a special beach clean ahead of a seal release.

• For a full schedule of events visit www.liveherelovehere.org.