Hundreds of volunteers armed with litter pickers and bin bags headed to west Dorset's beaches to clean up our coastline.

The Great Dorset Beach Clean, organised by local group Litter Free Coast and Sea, took place at the weekend and was the 'biggest and best yet.'

Each year families and friends descend on our beaches to collect everything - from single-use items like plastic bottles and drinks cans, to historical clay pipes and fishing line - that washes up onto the shoreline.

Beach cleans took place at Cogden, Monmouth, Charmouth, Abbotsbury, West Bay, Chesil Beach and West Bexington, as well as many other locations across the county.

Sarah West of Transition Town Bridport, organisers of the West Bay beach clean, said: “Last Sunday there was a beach clean at West Bay, which attracted more than 60 people. It was great to see all ages and in just over an hour we collected 15 sacks of rubbish and more than 2,000 plastic nurdles. We also organised a visit to a sewage plant, which highlighted the problems caused by disposal of items such synthetic wipes and plastic cotton buds into the sewage system.”

At Charmouth, 27 bags of rubbish and two large piles of fishing nets and crates were collected by hardworking volunteers determined to tidy up the coast.

Sophie Thomas, warden at the heritage centre, said: "We managed to collect a whopping 27 bags of rubbish, along with huge clumps of fishing rope, pieces of metal and crates. We were very lucky with the weather too, as we had glorious sunshine the whole time. I was really impressed with everyone's enthusiasm and the fact that both younger and older age groups took the time out to help. There is a major problem with plastics in the marine environment, but there are also lots of people out there doing something positive to tackle it head on. Beach cleans are vital to keep plastic at bay on beaches but to also raise awareness in the community as to our impact on the ocean. Of course you don't have to wait for the next beach clean, even picking up five pieces of rubbish whenever you're on the beach makes a big difference.

"I run regular beach cleans and nurdle hunts at Charmouth, so do keep an eye for future events."

Matilda Manley, Litter Free Coast and Sea project co-ordinator, 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.

“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.”