The volunteers, mainly aged 18 to 25, will spend their Easter holidays sifting sand containing small balls of oil washed ashore after the Prestige oil tanker broke up and sank 270 kilometres (170 miles) off the Spanish coast in November.

Thousands of tonnes of heavy fuel oil were spilled and much washed ashore, wreaking environmental havoc in the sea and on Galicia's popular tourist beaches. The remaining oil can only be removed by hand.

The volunteers will be deployed in the most affected area, southwest of La Coruna, in Spain's northwestern corner. The more dangerous task of cleaning rocky areas is being tackled by soldiers, barnacle fishermen and other professionals.

Although fishing in the area has partially resumed, 187 beaches remain polluted. The regional government hopes to have them cleaned up in time for summer.

SPACE.WIRE