diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js
index eb08ffca07..6c45bbf4f9 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js
@@ -20,6 +20,16 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Markers.prototype =
         this.markers = new Array();
     },
     
+    /**
+     * 
+     */
+    destroy: function() {
+        this.clearMarkers();
+        markers = null;
+        OpenLayers.Layer.prototype.destroy.apply(this, arguments);
+    },
+
+    
     /** 
     * @param {OpenLayers.Bounds} bounds
     * @param {Boolean} zoomChanged
@@ -52,6 +62,17 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Markers.prototype =
         }
     },
 
+    /**
+     * 
+     */
+    clearMarkers: function() {
+        if (this.markers != null) {
+            while(this.markers.length > 0) {
+                this.removeMarker(this.markers[0]);
+            }
+        }
+    },
+
     /** clear all the marker div's from the layer and then redraw all of them.
     *    Use the map to recalculate new placement of markers.
     */