A TEACHER says she has found a way to help find a solution to the planet's plastic problem by setting up her own coastal cleaning operation in Spain.

Suzanne Parmenter-Phillips, from Braintree, set-up Coastal Cleaners Andalucia in March after initially picking up rubbish while walking her dog on beaches.

She lived in Broad Road, Bocking, until she was 18-years-old and attended John Bunyan Primary School and Tabor High School before qualifying as a PE teacher.

Following time travelling in Australia, Africa and South East Asia and teaching English in Japan she returned to Bocking before heading abroad again.

Mrs Parmenter-Phillips said: "Itchy feet kicked in again and I made the move to Spain in 2009 - the nice weather and outdoor life style suits me and the people are friendly.

"I started picking up litter on the beach about a year ago alone while I walked my dog and in March, my partner suggested I tell people the amount I was finding.

"I set up a Facebook page, had a logo designed by a friend and Coastal Cleaners Andalucia began."

Since then, the past eight months have seen the group complete 18 litter picks and fill and incredible 684 bags of rubbish.

Mrs Parmenter-Phillips, 44, said: "Mostly we find plastic bottles, irrigation piping, fishing nets and line along with an astounding number of flip flops and odd shoes. What we can recycle we do, separating the items as we go along.

"I find this work so rewarding. I love being outside, in the natural world and spending time with people, so organising Coastal Cleaners Andalucia is an absolute win win for me.

"I never dreamed life would lead me here, but I am loving the journey and look forward to seeing where things lead.

"Most people are now very aware of the problems we face regarding plastic in the sea and I love that I have found a way to be part of the solution here in Spain."

Sue has also set up a scheme which aims to help businesses and bars be more eco-friendly as well as workshops and articles on how to be kind to environment.

Visit www.facebook.com/coastalcleanersspain.