Dorset's beach-lovers are being urged to get their gloves on and get down to the coast for the annual Great Dorset Beach Clean.

The two-day event on the weekend of Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, will see volunteers clearing Dorset's beaches of debris and litter all the way from Lyme Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east.

Last year's beach clean saw more than 500 volunteers turn out to clear 350 bags of rubbish from the county's coastline. The refuse included single-use items, principally plastic bottles and drink cans, to historical clay pipes and fishing line that had washed up onto the shoreline.

Matilda Manley, Litter Free Coast & Sea Project Coordinator said “It’s been amazing to see how many more people are wanting to get involved with things like beach cleans over the last year. There is a lot more awareness of marine litter now thanks to programmes like Blue Planet 2, but it’s important to remember that anyone can get involved and do their bit.”

“Beach cleans are great – they only last for a couple of hours, you’re doing something that really makes a difference, you may make new friends all whilst being out along our beautiful Dorset coastline!”

Beaches that volunteers will be clearing include those at Studland, Swanage, Worbarrow and Durdle Door in Purbeck, and Bowleaze Cove, Chesil Beach, Abbotsbury and Charmouth in the west of the county.

Matilda said, “We are expecting this to be our biggest Great Dorset Beach Clean yet. We’re asking people to use the hashtag #GreatDorsetBeachClean to help us by posting all their stories and photos from the beach cleans. Find your nearest beach clean – or maybe explore a new beach, and be sure to bring your friends and family to help us keep Dorset’s beaches litter-free.”

For a full list of beaches pinpointed for clean-ups, and for further info, see http://www.litterfreecoastandsea.co.uk/litter-free-coast-and-sea-week.