WALKERS took to one of Dorset’s most picturesque stretches of coastline to raise awareness of potential quarrying they say could mar its beauty.

Around 100 people turned out yesterday for the walk: one group heading from Portland Bill to Southwell, the other in the opposite direction.

They were unified in their goal to raise awareness about the stretch potentially being used for quarrying.

Julian Andrews, who owns a hut on the land, was out near the Lobster Pot telling people about Save the Coastal Strip from Quarrying.

He said: “The coastal strip from Cheyne Wears to about half way down along Portland Bill is an area of land that has potential for quarrying.

“Only land owned by Portland Stone Firms has permission dating from 1951 that can’t be over turned.

“Large parts were designated as being potential quarry sites. Virtually the whole island can be quarried.”

The Draft Mineral Sites plan produced by Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth councils has not outlined any new Portland sites.

In the plan, it said: “The Minerals Strategy discourages new surface quarries unless very specific conditions are met. An extension to an existing mine is allocated, but no new surface quarries are allocated.”

The more recent update to this plan does not make any specific reference to Portland stone.

Mr Andrews added: “We want to get the message out there that there is a threat of quarrying on the Portland coast.

“People visit this area in particular - they walk, they mountain bike, they climb.

“This is not a protest: it’s to raise awareness of the fact that this is a part of Portland that a lot of people love and they don’t want a quarry opening up right next to it.”