AN ANNUAL beach clean will tidy up West Dorset's coastline this weekend.

Volunteers have been coming together to keep the county's coastline clean for 27 years, with this year's event taking place on Sunday(26) at locations across Dorset - including West Bay, Lyme Regis and Burton Bradstock.

The 2015 Great Dorset Beach Clean is being organised by Dorset County Council's coastal ranger team and is supporting the Litter Free Coast and Sea campaign.

Jenny Penney, senior coastal ranger at Dorset County Council, said: "The Jurassic Coast Trust is sponsoring this year's event.

"It's vital that we keep cleaning beaches to make them safe for people and wildlife - as well as maintaining their beauty. By picking up litter on our beaches, people can make a real difference.

"We are working in partnership with Dorset Waste Partnership to recycle as much litter as possible."

West Dorset businesses are offering a tasty incentive for those taking part this weekend. Cafes, pubs and restaurants are offering discounted meals to volunteers who lend a hand. There will also be free parking available for volunteers at most sites.

Last year an incredible 692 people took part, filling 851 bags with rubbish from 25 beaches across the county. The haul included big chunks of metal and a crushed bicycle, an iron girder, a burnt-out mattress, a plastic washing basket and a bath tub.

This year, 27 beaches will be cleaned in the event.

The Lyme Regis clean will take place between 2pm and 4pm, meeting at the entrance to the Slipway. The Seatown clean will take place between 10am and 12pm, as will the events at Eype, West Bexington, Abbotsbury and Chesil Cove.

The beach clean at West Bay will take place between 2pm and 4pm, with volunteers meeting at the Station Road car park. The Burton Bradstock event will take place between 11am and 1pm, with those taking part meeting outside Hive Beach Cafe. An event at Cogden Beach will also take place between 11am and 1pm.

For more information on the Great Dorset Beach Clean 2015, log onto dorsetforyou.com/greatdorsetbeachclean or call 07977508094.