SCOTLAND'S dirtiest beach is to get a multi-million-clean up, it emerged today.

SCOTLAND'S dirtiest beach is to get a multi-million-clean up, it emerged today.

The notorious East Bay at Helensburgh, exposed as one of the worst in the UK for sewage, will benefit from a £4.5million improvement scheme by Scottish Water.

A total of 10 projects around this stretch of Clyde coast have been approved to make the beach and bathing water "significantly cleaner."

Shamed several times in lists of Scotland's filthiest beaches, East Bay was found to have record levels of debris.

The Marine Conservation Society said it was down to cotton buds and tampons being washed down the Clyde or out of Helensburgh's antiquated sewers.

The East Bay clean-up is due to start next week and will continue until late 2009.

Scottish Water warned of traffic and other problems related to the works.

The latest work follows an initial £6m project of similar work in the west end of Helensburgh.

Marred by delays and disruptions, the scheme sparked a wave of protests among local residents.

In a bid to placate protesters, Scottish Water gifted some sub-tropical palm trees to Helensburgh.

Meanwhile, Scottish Water is also to deliver a Scotland-wide capital investment programme.

This aims to ensure our drinking water remains safe and clean as well as keeping coastal waters and rivers clear of raw sewage.

Improvements in Scotland's underground water and waste water network are part of the scheme with the aim of reducing water main bursts and sewer flooding.

And a further £1.8m has been set aside for replacing worn-out pipes and infrastructure in Scotland's towns and cities.

Scottish Water said this investment is vital and as a result, better quality drinking water will be produced, beaches will be cleaner and flood risks severely reduced.