AN ARMY of volunteers will be hitting the beaches this autumn to help in a big clean-up.

Events are being organised along the Jurassic Coast as part of the Great Dorset Beach Clean on Sunday, September 16 – and people are invited to get involved.

It is organised by Dorset County Council’s coastal ranger team and supports the Litter Free Coast and Sea campaign.

The team organises two big beach clean events every year and the last one saw more than 600 bags of litter collected – including plastics, beach party debris, items that had been fly tipped, tyres and other rubbish, all of which was cleared by more than 600 happy volunteers on the day and, where possible, recycled.

A county council spokesman said this summer has seen tourists and locals alike flocking to enjoy the beautiful Jurassic Coast and this has meant a build-up once again of litter, either left on the beaches or swept in from the sea.

Volunteers are asked to come to the beaches where they will be greeted by a beach master with instructions and equipment – rubbish bags, gloves and a survey form for information on what is collected – to repeat the success of previous beach clean events.

On the same day, Dorset Wildlife Trust is organising its annual Worbarrow Bay beach clean which is an opportunity to combine a scenic walk along the shore with cleaning up for wildlife as you stroll. Dorset Wildlife Trust marine warden Melinda Fisher said: “In February we did a beach clean at Kimmeridge Bay and removed a skip full of litter from the beach and 800 plastic bottles were recycled.

“This highlights just how much litter finds its way onto beaches, and how taking part in beach cleans can really make a huge difference to wildlife and people.”

To get involved with the Worbarrow Bay clean-up call 01929 481044.

For more information on how and where to volunteer for beach cleans in Dorset, contact Purbeck coastal ranger Jenny Penney on 01305 228952 or visit dorsetforyou.com/great dorsetbeachclean All beach monitoring will be forwarded to the Marine Conservation Society in support of the international anti-marine pollution initiative.