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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
UK holidaymakers warned of hefty £1,000 fine for collecting certain souvenirs
Experts advise against taking home a pebble, seashell, or even a handful of sand from a UK beach. With the summer holiday season fully underway, millions of Brits will be enjoying some well-earned rest, both in the UK and abroad. However, experts are keen to warn travellers of an innocent beach tradition which could land them in trouble. Scotland has been engulfed in hot temperatures and humid heat this week, meaning many families will be heading straight for the nearest beach to enjoy some sun, sea and sand, but did you know that taking some cute seashells and pebbles home from the beach could land you with a hefty fine up to £1000 What seems like an innocent keepsake, whether a handful of sand or a pretty seashell, could actually carry serious consequences. Visitors naturally instinctively scour and collect souvenirs from the shore, such as a pebble picked up along the coastline, a scoop of soft sand, or a pretty shell found by the water's edge. But taking these treasures home could violate environmental protection laws, and if caught, potentially lead to fines of up to £1,000, confiscation, and, in rare instances, prosecution. Under the Coast Protection Act 1949, it is illegal to remove natural materials from Britain's coastline. The legislation applies to shells, stones, driftwood, and other items commonly found on the shore. Ultimately, it exists to protect fragile habitats and prevent long-term erosion. Neil Atkinson, travel expert and owner of Luxury Group Stay, said: "The UK's coastline remains one of our most cherished national assets, drawing an increasing number of visitors opting for staycations close to a beach this summer. 'It's essential that holidaymakers understand how even small actions can have a significant impact. From many perspectives, taking shells or pebbles comes across as a harmless token to represent your trip, but these natural elements are vital for preserving our beaches and supporting local wildlife. "There's a surge in staycations, especially to seaside spots, so respecting regulations is hugely important to safeguard these stunning environments for years to come. The threat of fines reflects the need for responsible tourism and sustainable enjoyment of our coastlines." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. In a recent reminder, Cumberland Council has warned visitors and residents alike to leave pebbles, shells, and sand on beaches or face fines up to £1,000 in line with the Coast Protection Act 1949. This warning highlights increasing concerns over the impact of souvenir collecting on fragile coastal environments. These materials are a vital part of the ecosystem. Empty shells often become homes for marine creatures such as hermit crabs, while pebbles and driftwood contribute to the natural defence of the coastline against the sea. Removing them on a large scale, even unintentionally, can damage biodiversity and undermine coastal stability.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Families could face a £1,000 fine for ‘innocent' beach ‘mistake' this summer
Council warns even a handful of sand could harm fragile coastal habitats forever FINE PRINT Families could face a £1,000 fine for 'innocent' beach 'mistake' this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLIDAYMAKERS could face fines of up to £1,000 this summer for the seemingly innocent act of taking pebbles, shells or sand from beaches Visitors who take beach 'souvenirs' home with them risk breaking the law under the Coast Protection Act 1949. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The law applies to the whole UK coastline and covers shells, stones, driftwood and other natural materials What may seem like a harmless keepsake, a smooth stone, a scoop of soft sand, or a shell from the shoreline, is actually protected by law. Removing these items can lead to fines, confiscation, and, in rare cases, prosecution. Why the rules exist? The law applies to the whole UK coastline and covers shells, stones, driftwood and other natural materials. It was introduced to protect delicate marine habitats and to stop the gradual erosion of our beaches. These natural defences play a vital role in protecting wildlife and shielding coastal areas from storm damage. Empty shells are often taken over by creatures such as hermit crabs, while pebbles help break the force of waves hitting the shore. Even small amounts taken by millions of visitors each year can add up to a significant loss. Experts warn that once these natural buffers are gone, they can take decades to return — if they return at all. With more Britons than ever opting for seaside staycations this summer, environmental pressure is growing. Research shows nearly 69 per cent are holidaying in the UK this year, rising to over three-quarters among 25-44-year-olds. Popular beach spots include Weymouth, Brighton, Sandbanks, and Durdle Door. Woman fined £1,600 after visiting 'hidden gem' pink beach during European holiday 'it's not JUST a shell' Neil Atkinson, travel expert and owner of Luxury Group Stay, said: 'The UK's coastline remains one of our most cherished national assets, drawing an increasing number of visitors opting for staycations close to a beach this summer. 'It's essential that holidaymakers understand how even small actions can have a significant impact. "From many perspectives, taking shells or pebbles comes across as a harmless token to represent your trip, but these natural elements are vital for preserving our beaches and supporting local wildlife. "There's a surge in staycations, especially to seaside spots, so respecting regulations is hugely important to safeguard these stunning environments for years to come. "The threat of fines reflects the need for responsible tourism and sustainable enjoyment of our coastlines." Authorities say they're not trying to spoil people's fun, but to ensure future generations can enjoy the same pristine beaches. They urge visitors to take only photographs and leave only footprints. Other strict beach laws around the world Spain Leaving the beach without covering up swimwear - fines up to £500 Smoking on the beach - fines up to £1,700 Swimming in the sea after midnight- fines up to £1,020 Being naked on non-nudist beaches - fines up to £560 France Smoking on beaches Italy Taking pebbles - fines up to £2,500 UK Walking dogs on certain beaches between May 1 and September 30 - fines of £1,000 Dropping rubbish - fines up to £2,500 Taking pebbles - fines up to £1,000 Camping on beaches - fines up to £1,000
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Rare diagnosis left West Lothian man blind as a teen in 'isolating' experience
Neil Atkinson was only 17 when he was diagnosed with a rare degenerative eye condition, Stargardt's Disease. A man who turned blind after a rare diagnosis as a teenager has opened up on how isolating the experience was. Neil Atkinson was told he had Stargardt's Disease at only 17. The condition causes progressive vision loss, though this hasn't stopped him from living his life. The now 26-year-old who lives in Armadale, West Lothian is now set to compete in one of the UK's top disability football events after his team reached the final of the FA Disability Cup. He says joining Merseyside Blind and Visually Impaired football club has 'completely changed his life'. "Sight loss can be incredibly isolating, so my role focuses on helping people connect with others," he told Edinburgh Live. "I manage a team of volunteers who run regular social groups and activities, and I also deliver awareness sessions to local organisations so they can be more accessible. 'Playing in the British Partially Sighted Football League changed my life. It gave me the chance to keep playing football at a high level, even after my sight got worse. "It's a huge achievement for us as a group. I'd recommend it to anyone in a similar position. "To reach the showpiece fixture at the end of the season is a reward for the hard work we've done over the past 10 months. "We had to play a lot of games with a very small squad on the day, but the commitment was there. We deserve to be in the FA Cup final. "I believe that many of the players in our league would stand a chance at the professional game if it wasn't for their sight loss. "To have an alternative where we can reach the highest level in our own format is really important." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He added: "It's exciting to be back involved with the England set-up. The trip to Turkey will be my first time travelling with the squad, so I'm looking forward to that. "But first, I'm focused on finishing the season strongly."
Edinburgh Live
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Live
Blind West Lothian man opens up on 'isolation' after rare diagnosis at 17
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A West Lothian man who was diagnosed with a rare condition as a teenager has opened up on 'isolation'. Neil Atkinson, 26, was told he had Stargardt's Disease at only 17-years-old. The condition causes progressive vision loss, though this hasn't stopped him from living his life. Neil, who lives in Armadale, is now set to compete in one of the UK's top disability football events after his team reached the final of the FA Disability Cup. He says joining Merseyside Blind and Visually Impaired football club has 'completely changed his life'. "Sight loss can be incredibly isolating, so my role focuses on helping people connect with others," he explains. "I manage a team of volunteers who run regular social groups and activities, and I also deliver awareness sessions to local organisations so they can be more accessible. 'Playing in the British Partially Sighted Football League changed my life. It gave me the chance to keep playing football at a high level, even after my sight got worse." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "I'd recommend it to anyone in a similar position." Merseyside will face off against Birmingham in the partially sighted final at St George's Park on June 28. Neil added: "It's a huge achievement for us as a group. (Image: Royal National Institute of Blind People/Will Cheshire) "To reach the showpiece fixture at the end of the season is a reward for the hard work we've done over the past 10 months. We had to play a lot of games with a very small squad on the day, but the commitment was there. We deserve to be in the FA Cup final. "I believe that many of the players in our league would stand a chance at the professional game if it wasn't for their sight loss. To have an alternative where we can reach the highest level in our own format is really important." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Neil has also been invited into the England Partially Sighted squad, and will join them for a training camp in Turkey later this year. He added: "It's exciting to be back involved with the England set-up. "The trip to Turkey will be my first time travelling with the squad, so I'm looking forward to that. But first, I'm focused on finishing the season strongly."
Sky News
28-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
'The community has stood strong': How Liverpool is trying to heal from trauma at trophy parade
The memorabilia that marks a milestone title - No 20 - is still being snapped up two days on from the Premier League trophy parade. Water Street, where a vehicle struck crowds gathered to celebrate their team's success, was open again today - cleared the detritus of the horror, and the bottles of beer were abandoned in an instant. But Liverpool fans are asking whether a day filled with so much joy can be reclaimed for the euphoria, after scenes of such devastation. "The incident itself, it's obviously ended up very much marring the memory of what should have been a great day," said Neil Atkinson, host of The Anfield Wrap podcast. "There are a lot of different lived realities at once. Those right by the event obviously have theirs. "But as that sort of spreads out, everyone's in a bit of a different place. "So I think in the fullness of time - if everyone involved makes a full recovery, insofar as that's possible because there are other types of scar and not just physical - then I think that people can remember it as a positive occasion." Liverpool has dealt with trauma before at Hillsborough and beyond, when institutions have endangered and failed fans. This feels harder to comprehend - the shock - why the vehicle was driven through a crowd enjoying the most uplifting of days. Shortly before, the Strand nearby had been cloaked in a haze of red smoke that had followed the buses through the 10-mile parade, You'll Never Walk Alone booming out. The song is more than an anthem; it is woven into the club's identity, embodying the bond between fans and the club. Here, it was the soundtrack of celebration. In moments of tragedy, it has been the hymn of resilience amid healing. "The Liverpool community has stood firm," Mr Atkinson said. "Everyone just wants to help and support, and I think the human instinct, first and foremost, when bad things, scary things happen, is that there are people who want to reach out, and I think that is a good, it's a special thing. And the Reds are feeling the outpouring of solidarity, with rivals rallying behind them from far and wide. "I love Liverpool and I think that Liverpool has something about it that's genuinely exceptional," Atkinson said. "But I also love that … I was getting messages from people who aren't even connected to the game, who see this, who want to check that I was all right.
