A series of seabins have been installed at Carrickfergus Marina and Glenarm Marina as the region steps up its efforts to protect the coastline.

A seabin is an innovative waste bin that removes garbage from the water of docks and marinas. Each bin can hold up to 12kg at full capacity, collecting the equivalent of 20,000 bottles or 83,000 bags per year.

They are the first of their kind installed in Mid and East Antrim, and follow the success of Northern Ireland's first seabin in Bangor Marina last year.

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This will be among a number of seabins positioned along the borough's coastline following a motion which was unanimously supported by councillors.

Councillor Angela Smyth, said: "I am absolutely delighted that my proposal to install new seabins within the borough was passed unanimously and that council has now agreed to a positive measure to protect our historic coastlines.

"For those who are unfamiliar with seabins, they are a floating natural fibre rubbish bin that moves up and down according to the tide and can collect up to half a tonne of rubbish and debris each year. This is equivalent to 20,000 plastic bottles or 83,000 plastic bags per year.

"As councillors, I believe it is our duty to protect our world renowned coastlines and our famous beaches, which are the envy of the world."

(CM/MH)