Beachgoers have been urged to "pick up their litter and take it home with them" after piles of rubbish was scattered across Silver Sands in Aberdour.

They say a picture paints a thousand words and this was definitely the case after Fife Coast & Countryside Trust posted several photos of the scene at the popular West Fife beach on Monday morning.

Many were left disgusted by the state that visitors had left the coastal area in.

Plastic plates, tubs, cans and bottles were strewn across the grass from ripped bin bags left beside a waste bin, as well as a pile of cardboard boxes and disposal barbecues.

It’s thought that seagulls may have torn the bin bags. The mess prompted the trust as well as Safer Communities Fife to tell the public to "take their litter home".

Councillor Alice McGarry, who represents Aberdour, said: “It’s a bit strange because there were lots of boxes left there which are not the sorts of things people take to the beach.

“The bags look like they’ve been torn apart by seagulls but people should be taking their rubbish away with them.

“If you’ve brought them you can take it back. It’s not rocket science especially when you can see that a bin is full.”

Commenting on Fife Coast & Countryside Trust’s Facebook post, Pete Johnson said: “What beats me is if you’ve brought heavily leaden bags full of snacks down to the beach, why such a challenge to take the empty and lightweight waste back with you? It’s sadly a mentality thing that some people just feel others will 'happily' clean up after them!”

Dawn Nelson added: “Disgusting. How hard is it for people to take their own rubbish home, organised group or not, is it the mindset that someone gets paid to remove it?”