West Bay's beach wheelchair scheme, providing beach access for those with disabilities, will launch on Friday, March 31 at 12noon.

The event on West Beach is being organised by Elaine Leader, who has led the campaign to make access to the sea available to all.

"It will be lovely to see this project finally up and running," she said.

"By that date, the beach matting will have been laid by West Bay harbourmaster James Radcliffe and his team, and we'll have three different types of beach wheelchairs for people to see and try out.

:Everyone is welcome to come along and see it for themselves. It's going to make such a difference to so many people with disabilities and restricted mobility who previously have not been able to access the beach and sea at West Bay."

Elaine has worked with Bridport Town Council, Dorset Council and Parkdean Resorts to get the scheme up and running.

Parkdean, which owns West Bay Holiday Park and is the UK's largest holiday park operator, will facilitate free hire of the wheelchairs.

One of the beach wheelchairs can float in the sea and can be used in conjunction with a qualified swimming coach so that the carers do not necessarily need to be in the water.

There will also be a special wheelchair platform on balloon wheels for people who need a specific wheelchair and cannot transfer to one of the beach ones. This is being manufactured and is being funded by West Dorset Mencap.

There is now a Changing Places toilet provided by Parkdean, which is available for the public to use at any time. A second one is being installed in West Bay Road later in the year.  

Each will have a toilet, an adult changing bed, shower and a hoist and will offer a crucial but basic need for people with complex disabilities so they can enjoy a whole day at the beach instead of having to go home when they need to use the facilities.

Funding for the scheme has come via donations from Bridport Town Council, West Dorset Mencap, Bridport Round Table and numerous other charities, individuals and organisations into the Crowdfunder campaign. 

Magna Housing, Highlands End Holiday Park and Groves Nurseries and Garden Centre have all pledged support for the scheme too.

Funding is still needed for the storage building for the wheelchairs which will be located in the slipway area.

You can donate on the Crowdfunder page at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/beach-wheelchairs-for-west-beach-west-bay-dorset-1