A social media post on Facebook showing the aftermath of an alleged party by Wick teenagers at Reiss beach has provoked condemnation from many in the community.

The images show broken alcohol bottles, items of clothing, a discarded tent, cigarette ends and numerous other pieces of debris at a site on Reiss beach near the Sand End road. They were posted online just a few days after a new organisation, the Sinclair's Bay Trust (SBT), had erected signs advising the public to "leave nothing but footprints" and other information about keeping the beach tidy.

On seeing the images, SBT board member Pat Ramsay said: “So disheartening that local people continue to disrespect our beautiful area. A minority spoil it for others. This is happening all over the area. Tourists often get the blame for leaving a mess but this is not the case on this occasion. What effort does it take to take your rubbish away with you?”

Many others took to Facebook to condemn the "selfish" and "loutish" behaviour of the individuals involved who were identified by one social media user as "local teenagers".

The contributor to the post went on to say there were about 20 girls and boys ferried close to the site in taxis. "They walked carrying their stuff so why not take it back home?" she asked.

"I hoped they would have come back to tidy but sadly not. I will be going down this morning to clear it as I walk there twice daily. It’s an area regularly used by people on holiday, tents, camper vans and have to say usually left very tidy. Very disappointing that it’s our own that have let the area down."

The person who posted the images does not wish to be identified in the paper but was happy to provide some comments. "There are people who go there with kids, dogs and horses and it's dreadful leaving a mess like that lying about," they said with particular reference to the broken glass left strewn around the scene.

"One of them even left a shopping list with things like Mad Dog 20/20 [MD 20/20] and dark fruits [cider]. There were names on it and I wonder if it was someone buying the alcohol for underage folk. The list had all the drink and fags and the names of who it was for and what it came to for who owed what."

The total price on the list came to around £73 and also included beer and vodka. "The mess was strewn everywhere and not even contained in one place – bottles thrown into the grass, socks and boxer shorts just lying about. It was just terrible."

The area has since been tidied up but is a popular site for bonfires and beach parties so visitors are advised to beware of broken glass. If you come across rubbish in the area there are bins at Reiss beach car park where most items can be deposited.

Related article:

New trust sends out a clear message to 'keep Sinclair’s Bay beautiful'