A DEAD dolphin, several hundred plastic bottles and more than 50 disposable cigarette lighters were among the finds on a Cornish beach when a party of school children turned refuse collectors for two hours.

Year eight pupils from Polwhele House School, Truro, combed a 400-yard stretch of Prisk Cove, at the mouth of the Helford River, for two hours. In that time, they collected items that filled eight bin bags, plus several larger objects such as wooden pallets and a drum that were left in a pile for separate collection by members of the Helford Marine Conservation Society.

The project was organised in collaboration with the society, whose chairman, David Nightingale, and his wife Ann joined the children for the sweep.

"The pupils were quite amazed at just how much rubbish was to be found on one stretch of beach," said headmaster Jo Mason, who joined in the exercise with his wife Norah.

"We explained that the great majority of the items would have been washed up after being thrown overboard from passing ships and boats, rather than left by people on the beach."

The exercise was part of a special post-exam activities week for the group of school leavers.

Other sessions included first aid lessons, abseiling, surfing, sailing and cycling, from Bissoe to Portreath