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A picture of seemingly intricate patterns drawn in the sand at Whitmore Bay drew attention over the weekend – but there's more to it than meets the eye.

The linework is done by Russell Morgan, who has operated a beach-raking machine for the Vale of Glamorgan Council for over 20 years, taking over from his brother before him.

The photo in question dates back five years ago, but doesn't fail to impress. In fact, Russell takes extra care to make sure the work is done neatly.

"It's my pride and joy," said Russell.

"That's what I like to do. I do it the best I can because I get a bit of a buzz out of it. The straighter I can do it, the better.

"It's nice to have people's reactions, the locals love it and the amount of rubbish left on the beach after the weekend in busier times is quite sad.

"There's not many other beaches around that do it. I think Porthcawl do it with a second hand one but I don't know if it's as good as what I can do.

"Like any job, if you enjoy it then you get a better job done," he said.

Russell said that the pattern looks more complicated than it is.

"People call it art, but it isn't really," he said.

"When I turn around at the top, I just make sure I get it completely right and do it the same every time.

"It looks complicated but really it's a uniform turn. If I was turning around randomly it would look different!"

Russell's main job is driving gitting vehicles for the council, but during the summer he rakes the beach everyday between 6-8am.

The machine has spikes that dig into the sand, pick up any rubbish onto a belt which goes into a bag in the back.

"We do it for a couple of weeks before the holidays and go through until September," said Russell.

"It's a job that has to be done.

"It all depends on the condition of the beach, if the tide has been in and gone out again by the time, I get there the sand is nice and flat.

"If the tide comes in differently and people have been digging holes, I can't get it as good as that," he said.

Russell hopes to be out raking the beach at the end of March, depending on when lockdown restrictions ease.