A group which works to protect a beauty spot and 'stepped up' their campaign this year have won special praise.

A new set of steps were built earlier this year down to Castle Cove Beach in Weymouth, the final link which restored public access to the popular spot after it was closed off for a few years.

This was achieved after a fundraising campaign by the Friends of Castle Cove Beach Charity.

The charity was awarded a Special Commendation to recognise this at Weymouth Civic Society’s Annual Awards.

Presenting the award at the Nothe Fort, the Chairman of the Civic Society’s Planning and Environment Committee, Pauline Crump, said: "This ‘Special Commendation’ is awarded to the Friends of Castle Cove, who have commissioned this fine set of steps, leading down to the beach. The steps, constructed to be able to accommodate further landslips, mark the determination of members of the local community to restore access to this much loved beauty spot.”

On behalf of the charity, trustee Tony Dobbs said: “We are delighted to receive this award. It is a recognition of the community effort involved. It took us several years but the result is worth the effort. This award is a tribute to the determination and commitment of our supporters.”

The steps to the beach were completed in March, and officially opened on April 20, with around 1,000 people attending. Local resident and long-time user of the beach Brian Wilkins, 84, cut the ribbon.

He said at the time: "The beach is back open after five years and I have been coming here since 1936. The first time I was here I was carried down the steps, then I worked on hiring out deck chairs on the beach and eventually I got engaged on the beach too. It's great to see it so busy again."

Since the opening, the steps have been used by an estimated 50,000 people.

Mr Dobbs said: “The beach has been transformed. It’s clean, it’s used by family groups of all ages, and it’s a really popular community asset. A team of volunteers has stepped forward to help with keeping the beach clean, and we are working to make it UK’s first litter-free Beach.”