RESIDENTS hit the beach armed with bin bags and gloves at the weekend for the Great Dorset Beach Clean.

A number of organised clean-up events took place across the county with volunteers hitting the sands to make a difference.

Local group Litter Free Coast co-ordinated the effort with various organisations helping out. The group has an on-going campaign to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of marine and beach litter.

Last year the beach clean was a success with more than 500 volunteers turning up to clear 350 bags of rubbish. This year was the 29th anniversary of the annual clean-up and was no exception, with volunteers passionate about transforming their coastline.

Kim Smurthwaite, one of the organisers of the Bowleaze Cove beach clean, said: “I live in the area and noticed there was a problem with the beach, so I phoned the council who put me in touch with Litter Free Coast.”

Kim said she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the number of volunteers who turned up on the Saturday to show their support, including Councillor Ian Bruce.

She added: “The issue is tourist waste, so fish and chip containers and bits of plastic. We want to build a better relationship with businesses and organisations, so our job becomes less required.

“It’s lovely and encouraging to see one of the councillors, and business owners here.”

Cllr Bruce said: “It’s lovely that she’s down here organising it. We have so many wonderful volunteers here that are getting over the message that firstly people shouldn’t be dropping litter, and secondly that we really love our town and our beaches.”

Sophie Franks from Dorset Coast Forum said: “I came down to help Kim, she had organised all of this with the help of Litter Free Coast. It is fantastic to see so many people.”

She said she thought Saturday’s sunny weather may have helped to draw out more volunteers and added: “I think its partly due to the weather and partly because there has been so much coverage in the press about plastic pollution and people feel like they want to give something back. They really enjoy it and want to care for their local beaches.”

Lloyd Davenport, who owns some of the businesses above the beach, said: “It shows people what happen when they throw rubbish, that someone else has to pick it up. I think it is good from that point of view.”

A team from Waterside Holiday Park also got involved in the beach clean.

The volunteers collected everything from bits of plastic, polystyrene, fishing wire and more, which littered the beach.

Jill Burroughs, one of the volunteers, said she had been inspired by the BBC show Blue Planet 2, which showed the impact of plastic waste on sea life.

Little Free Coast helped organise a total of 17 beach cleans along the Dorset coast on Saturday and Sunday.

Volunteers took part in clean-up events for beaches including Chesil Beach, Cogden, Charmouth, Swanage and more.

POLICE RESCUE DISTRESSED DOGS

DORSET Police also got involved with the beach clean at Bowleaze Cove. While out on anti-social behaviour patrols, PC Bayliss, a local wildlife officer and PCSO Gatehouse grabbed a bin bag and joined in.
A post on the Weymouth and Portland Police Facebook Page says: “A local lady became upset at seeing the amount of litter and plastic that was lining the seafront and took it upon herself to organise a beach litter pick. This was greatly received by many local people who popped on their rubber gloves and got stuck in.”
While at Bowleaze Cove, the officers also came across two distressed dogs that were locked in a car without water and were wearing t shirts. The officers decided to force entry into the car because the owners could not be located. 
The Facebook post added: “Dogs left in hot cars is an offence. WE will break your windows and seize your pets. There is no excuse dogs die in cars.”