IT'S nearly time to hit the beach – and clean it up.

The 29th annual Great Dorset Beach Clean takes place this weekend with groups hitting the sands from Lyme Regis in the west to Friars Cliff in the east.

Last year more than 500 volunteers turned out to clear 350 bags of rubbish from Dorset’s beaches. They collected everything from single-use items like plastic bottles and drinks cans, to historical clay pipes and fishing line that had been washed up onto the shoreline.

Local group Litter Free Coast and Sea is co-ordinating the effort with various organisations involved in the different areas. Litter Free Coast and Sea is an ongoing campaign to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of marine and beach litter, and improve and maintain bathing water quality along the Dorset and East Devon coast. It is supported and promoted by more than 500 local organisations and individuals.

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.”

She added: “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!”

This year there are going to be 17 beach cleans all along the Dorset coast on Saturday and Sunday. Full details of the beaches involved and dates and times of each clean can be found at litterfreecoastandsea.co.uk

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 like all the 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.”

Beach cleans

Saturday April 21

11am-3pm Cogden (run by The National Trust)

Meeting point: Cogden National Trust Car Park

2pm-3pm Monmouth, Lyme Regis

Meeting point: Outside RNLI Shop on slipway

2.30pm-3.30pm Bowleaze Cove (run by Bowleaze Coveway Beach Care Group)

Meeting point: Slipway

Additional information – Due to the high tides recently there has been an increase of waste and plastic deposited on the beaches in the area so help is needed for this clean-up.

3pm-4.30pm Charmouth (run by Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre)

Meeting point: Bottom of Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre steps

10am-12pm Swanage (run by Durlston Country Park)

Meeting point: Outside the Bull & Boat Restaurant

Sunday, April 22

8am-10am Durdle Door (run by The Lulworth Estate)

Meeting point: Durdle Door Car Park

Additional information – Free parking for the day at Lulworth Cove

10am-5pm Abbotsbury (run by Dorset Countryside Volunteers)

Meeting point: Abbotsbury Beach Car Park

Additional information – Volunteers tell the car park warden they are doing beach clean. Join for all or part of the day. Hot and cold drinks provided for morning and afternoon breaks. Bring a packed lunch. See www.dcv.org.uk for more details

10.30am-12pm West Bay Beach (run by West Bay Beach Group/Transition Town Bridport)

Meeting point: Steps going down to the beach at West Bay esplanade (West Beach)

Additional information – Public parking along the seafront and additional parking can be found along West Bay.

11am-1pm Chesil Beach (run by Dorset Wildlife Trust)

Meeting point: Chesil Beach Centre

Additional information – Free parking during the duration of the beach clean – pick up a parking permit form the Chesil Beach Centre. 10 per cent discount on food and drinks at Taste Café in the Chesil Beach Centre

11am-1pm West Bexington (run by The National Trust)

Meeting point: Beach Car Park, West Bexington

11.30am-12.30pm Studland (run by The National Trust)

Meeting point: Knoll Beach Visitor Centre

Additional information – A car parking free to participants for the duration of this event. Collect voucher from Knoll Beach Visitor Centre.

1.30pm-3.30pm Worbarrow (run by Dorset Wildlife Trust)

Meeting point: On the beach at the end of the footpath from the car park at Tyneham.

Additional information – Park at Tyneham and follow footpath to the beach – approx 1 mile. Suggested donation of £2 for parking. Meet at the beach end of the footpath (map ref SY 865 803). All equipment provided but bring a drink and suitable footwear and clothing for an exposed location and walking on a shingle beach. Allow plenty of time for the walk to arrive for the briefing. Adults and children welcome.