Carousel horse found during McNabs cleanup

The annual cleanup of McNabs Island has filled 600 garbage and blue bags. Among the usual debris were a few curious items.

Some of the more interesting finds this year included a plastic horse which appears to be from a carnival ride. Other unusual items volunteers found include a Chanel perfume bottle, a stuffed toy lobster and a large chest freezer.

Cathy McCarthy, with the group Friends of McNabs Island, says she's concerned that plastic tampon applicators continue to be a problem, despite Halifax Water and its screens which are supposed to stop them.

Tim Hortons coffee cups are also a problem and were found in abundance during the cleanup. They have a plastic liner and don't break down.

This is the 23rd year that the Friends of McNabs Island Society has organized a cleanup of McNabs Island.

Since 1991, volunteers have collected a staggering 11,600 bags of garbage and recyclables from the beaches of this Provincial Park and national historic site. The McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park cleanup is the longest running and largest cleanup in the Maritimes, said McCarthy in a release.

About 250 people were out yesterday collecting trash from the shoreline.