More than 160 bags of rubbish were collected by 328 volunteers during the annual Great Dorset Beach Clean (GDBC).

Litter Free Coast and Sea and Clean Jurassic Coast joined together to hold the event, which included 19 beach cleans hosted by local organisations and community groups, such as Dorset Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and Leave Only Footprints.

Two took place in West Dorset on Seatown and Cogden beaches over the weekend of May 22 and 23, with others taking place from Lyme Regis to Christchurch. A total of 165 bags of rubbish were collected, including tyres, buried rusty lobster pots, tents, oil drums and a gazebo.

Carla Roberts-Owen, of Litter Free Coast and Sea and lead organiser of the event, said: "At the last event in 2019, we collected 214 bags. There are obviously lots of factors at play, but could our beaches be getting cleaner? We hope so.

"Unfortunately, due to Covid, we had to cancel last year's GDBC event so it has been brilliant to be able to bring it back again this year.

"As a result of the bad weather, a couple of this year's events had to be cancelled but overall, the timing was perfect as lots of help was on hand to collect up the debris that had washed in from the big winds we all experienced the Friday before the weekend.

"We are hugely grateful to everyone that came along and joined in and a big thank you goes out to our volunteer beach clean leaders."

Litter Free Coast and Sea is now calling for all local residents and visitors to continue to take their litter home or use the bin when they visit Dorset's beaches this summer.

Carla added: "We have some of the best beaches and bathing waters in the country that we want locals and visitors to be able to enjoy. Thanks to everyone for looking after our wonderful coast."

For more information, visit litterfreecoastandsea.co.uk

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