A MUSSELBURGH resident is calling for council action to remove piles of leaves and tree debris washed up on the beach at Fisherrow.

Margaret Oliver, a 63-year-old grandmother-of-five, branded the sight “disgusting” and “embarrassing”, adding: “I have lived in Musselburgh all my life and have never seen the beach in this state.”

She said she came across the mass of leaves and tree debris on the beach at Promenade, leading to Fisherrow Links, while out walking her two dogs, Kizzy and Millie.

Mrs Oliver claimed: “Apart from the fact it looks disgusting, embarrassing and difficult to walk along, it cannot be good for the sea life as the leaves just go out and in with the tide.”

She contacted East Lothian Council by email earlier this month after seeing the debris and got an automated response.

Mrs Oliver said: “Volunteers regularly clear rubbish from the beach and for that we are grateful. They have done this for months now but this is a big job which needs tractors and the leaves transported elsewhere.”

A council spokesperson said: “Every winter, the Esk carries leaves downstream, which wash up along the beach at Fisherrow. While this may seem unsightly to some people, this natural process is fundamental to the complex food chain that supports a diverse range of wading birds that feed in the Musselburgh area.

“The leaves are similar to a compost heap and play an important role in keeping the ‘garden’ healthy. Musselburgh is fortunate to have two contrasting beaches which provide balance.

“Fisherrow, with the winter leaves, attracts several thousand wading birds probing the mud and sand for invertebrates. There is also the Back Sands, a beach largely clear of leaf debris that some people may find more attractive but which is less appealing for wildlife.”