HUNDREDS of volunteers are expected to take part in the Great Dorset Beach Clean initiative, which makes its return this month.

The popular community drive had to be cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Beach cleans at 21 locations have been organised over the May 22/23 weekend, for what will be the 31st beach clean organised by Litter Free Coast and Sea.

On the Saturday beach cleans at Shell Bay, Studland; Knoll Beach, Studland; Middle Beach, South Beach and Old Harry Rocks, Studland; Southbourne Beach; North Beach, Swanage, and Boscombe Pier will be taking place.

Then on the Sunday litter-picks will take place at Sandbanks, Highcliffe Beach, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, among others.

Litter Free Coast and Sea is running the event in partnership with Clean Jurassic Coast.

Organisations and community groups including Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Leave Only Footprints, will also be involved in running the cleans.

More than 700 volunteers took part in the 2019 event, working together to clear 214 bags of rubbish from across the Dorset coast.

However, due to ongoing Covid restrictions this year, places will be limited at each event so places must be booked in advance.

Matilda Manley, Litter Free Coast and Sea project co-ordinator, said “We are excited to be running the Great Dorset Beach Clean again this year.

"It is obviously going to be a bit different and a little scaled back.

"However, we know that all the volunteers who help to lead the events and those who sign up to join in will make a big difference to our beautiful coastline.

"We look forward to seeing you on the beaches.”

Rubbish picked up during the last event included plastic bottles and aluminium cans, polystyrene pieces, bottle caps and lids, cotton bud sticks, plastic bags, fishing lines and various items of marine litter that had been washed up onto the shoreline.

Roy Beal, founder of Clean Jurassic Coast, added “There is strength in numbers. Only by working together can we keep our fabulous beaches clean and the more awareness we can raise as a volunteer collaborative network, the better chance we have of getting the message across to try to prevent littering in the first place.”

Visit www.litterfreecoastandsea.co.uk/greatdorsetbeachclean/ for more information or to book a place.