Durham County Council are continuing to issue advice after nurdles have been spotted on beaches across Seaham and Crimdon.

Nurdles have been found at Crimdon Beach, Seaham Hall Beach and Slope Beach, at Seaham Marina.

This comes after 25 tonnes of pellets, known as nurdles, fell into the sea following an incident at Tyne Dock, in South Shields, on Sunday, July 19.

Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets – usually between one and five millimetres in size – which are used as raw material to manufacture most plastic products.

Nurdles have been found at Crimdon Beach, Seaham Hall Beach and Slope Beach, at Seaham Marina. Photo creid, Raoul Dixon North News.

placeholder image — Nurdles have been found at Crimdon Beach, Seaham Hall Beach and Slope Beach, at Seaham Marina. Photo creid, Raoul Dixon North News.

Durham County Council have been working with their partner organisations, including the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, to carry out safe, clear and co-ordinated clean-ups when nurdles have been found.

According to the council, the public health risk associated with nurdles is considered to be very low but can pose a risk to wildlife and other animals if ingested.

Members of the public are asked not to handle nurdles as a precaution and to support any safe, co-ordinated clean-up that might be needed.

If contact is made, people are asked to wash their hands afterwards.

Nurdles should not be stepped on as this can push them further into the sand.

In locations where nurdles are present, dogs should be kept on leads.

Those wishing to swim are advised to check the latest Environment Agency bathing water advice before entering the water.

Anyone who sees nurdles on Durham’s beaches is asked to email [email protected] and include the location, date and time of discovery, approximate amount of pellets seen and a photo where possible.

Durham County Council said in a statement: “Do not collect nurdles independently as it is really important that all pellets picked up are recorded and weighed.

"This is to allow authorities in the region to understand how many have been recovered following the initial spill last month and to assess environmental impact.

“For anyone who does still collect nurdles, please do not put them in general rubbish or leave them loose on the beach.

"Designated collection points will be in place at Seaham Hall Beach car park, Seaham Marina and Crimdon for people to use.”