For the past 16 years, George Phillips has been working to keep Bermuda’s beaches pristine.

The parks worker travels the length and breadth of the Island ensuring that public beaches are kept clean and tidy for visitors and residents.

Mr Phillips joined the Department of Parks in 1987 in the aftermath of Hurricane Emily.

In 1998 he took over sole responsibility for cleaning beaches from Clearwater to Horseshoe and John Smith’s Bay to Mangrove Bay.

“I have a lot on my hands, but I keep smiling,” Mr Phillips said. “I like to make Bermuda look beautiful and take a lot of pride in what I do.

“I’m on the tractor for most of the day cleaning up the debris and the seaweed that gets washed ashore.

“But at certain times of the year it’s also important to make sure the seaweed is on the beaches in order to reduce erosion and prevent the sand from getting washed away.”

Mr Phillips, who previously worked at Sonesta Beach, told The Royal Gazette that he was also responsible for Tobacco Bay, Shelly Bay, St Catherine’s Beach and all the coves between Warwick Long Bay and Horseshoe Bay.

He added: “In the winter I start at 7.30am and work through until around 4pm.

“Then in the summer I tend to start at around 5am or 6am so the beaches are clean for all the visitors arriving on the cruise ships.”