A 'GREEN' taskforce has been set up to tackle litter louts and fly-tippers blighting Inverkip beach.

Landowner Sir Ludovic Shaw-Stewart has joined forces with Councillor Ciano Rebecchi and local litter pickers to solve the problem.

This comes after 30 bags of rubbish was collected from the beauty spot.

The beach is owned by the marina but borders Ardgowan Estate.

Sir Ludovic said: "Unfortunately there is general litter, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour as a result of large groups of people drinking on the beach.

"There have been quite a lot of fires in the estate and when police pursue them they go further into the estate.

"When we remove the remains of one 'campsite' another appears the next day."

Large-scale gatherings, the disturbance they causes and the aftermath has become a major problem for residents living at the Marina.

Cllr Rebecchi says that a joined up approach is needed to stamp out this anti-social behaviour.

He has spoken to the council, Stuart McMillan MSP, police, community wardens and Network Rail, as young people are using trains to get to and from Inverkip and then going on to cause havoc and leave behind a mess.

Mr Rebecchi said: "Three quarters of the people involved in all this trouble are from outside the area.

"They are hopping on trains, some without paying.

"There should always be someone there making sure they have to pay to get on.

"Police have seized alcohol from kids who are underage - parents should know where their children are."

Lynne McBain and Jean Benson of the Inverkip Litter Picking Group are determined to tackle the problem in a practical way but hope the authorities will play their part too.

Lynne said: "There are constant problems outside Sainsbury's and the chip shop in the village."

The next meeting of the taskforce is on August 2, with MSP Mr McMillan, ward councillors, Sir Ludo and other agencies including the police and rail chiefs set to attend.