Beach Buddies has launched its first international branch, with a beach clean in Hong Kong organised by Manx expat Nick Thompson.

Mr Thompson, originally from Onchan, moved out to Hong Kong for work 30 years ago and has since been following the activities of Beach Buddies on the island.

12 people participated in the first clean at Long Mei beach in Tai Poi, which included two other Manx expats alongside local residents.

It was planned to coincide with the Chinese New Year Celebration.

Mr Thompson explained what motivated hin to organise the event: ’Hong Kong’s coastline is incredible, but is very messy in places.

’I’m not looking to make a song and dance about it, just get on with it in our local area and see where it takes us’.

Beach Buddies founded Bill Dale said: ’This is a massive step forward for us.

’We have been working on a similar project in Hong Kong for around two years, bringing Isle of Man companies together in the area.

’But it wasn’t moving forward and for obvious reasons the Covid pandemic has impacted on everything.

’When Nick Thompson made contact recently it was just the best possible news, and he tells me he has already had a really positive response leading up to this first event.

’In the Isle of Man Beach Buddies started in 2006 with two people and five dogs on one beach in Ballaugh which was in a dreadful state, and today we are being widely acclaimed as having the world’s cleanest beaches.

’Maybe Beach Buddies in Hong Kong will start from similar humble beginnings?

’We hope this could be the start of something which will capture the imagination and encourage others to follow the example of what the people of the island have achieved.’

This Sunday at 10.30am, Beach Buddies will be cleaning up the rubbish washed up on Doulgas beach following last weekend’s storm, meeting at the northern end of the promenade at the slipway opposite the Regency Hotel.