Papamoa residents continue painstaking task

Papamoa residents are continuing the painstaking task of removing oil from their beloved beach.

Around 800 volunteers worked alongside Defence Force personnel on the beach yesterday.

Progressive Association chairman Steve Morris says while the large black streaks of oil have gone, small traces are still left.

"There's going to be for some time hands and knees time, picking up small amounts of oil," says Mr Morris.

Steve Morris says future clean ups will depend on whether oil can be pumped off the Rena today.