Students from at least 10 Christchurch schools will put on their sunhats, sunscreen - and gloves to clean up the city’s beaches next week.

Co-ordinated by Christchurch City Council’s Keep Christchurch Beautiful Campaign, the annual Gigantic Beach Clean Up will be held on Tuesday 1 December.

Campaign co-ordinator Shirley Christensen says the aim is to increase students’ environmental awareness. Schools are encouraged to prepare for, or follow up, the event with relevant classroom activities. City Council park rangers and Coast Care staff members will talk to the children involved about the local coastal environment and marine life.

In New Brighton on Tuesday, Pier and Foreshore Society members will clean the pier - and will welcome helpers - and a sausage sizzle will be held to wind up the activities there.

Children cleaning up must wear gloves and are advised not to pick up anything that looks sharp or dangerous. If they see anything that looks dangerous they should alert their supervisors, who should put the items in separate containers.

The Gigantic Beach Clean Up has been made possible through financial support from the Burwood-Pegasus, Hagley-Ferrymead and Shirley-Papanui community boards. Rubbish bags will be provided by the Council’s Waste Management Unit.