A west Dorset world record attempt is putting aside its efforts for the largest band and instead focusing on a bigger challenge - climate change.

Organisers of Guitars on the Beach (GOTB), held annually at Lyme Regis and set up to encourage guitarists of all ages and abilities, will this year be supporting the Turn Lyme Green movement, providing a platform for Plastic free Lyme Regis and other local eco initiatives.

A spokesperson for GOTB said: “We’re still asking as many guitarists as possible to come along and play together on the beach, but this year we will all be playing for a far more important aim than setting a world record - saving the planet.

“We’re adding our voice and guitars to the calls on the climate change emergency because if we don’t stop global warming, it will soon become too hot to even go on a beach.”

GOTB has teamed up with Turn Lyme Green and Plastic Free Lyme Regis to join the movement for a reduction in fossil fuels, cutting CO2 emissions, greater recycling, clean seas and the end of single-use plastic.

The spokesperson added: “Both Turn Lyme Green and Plastic Free Lyme Regis will have stalls and supporters on hand at GOTB, providing advice on how we can all do our bit to make a difference and tackle this climate change crisis.

“In particular, we’re asking that everyone attending GOTB this year does not buy throwaway bottles of water and that instead they bring their own reusable containers which can be refilled free at the taps on the seafront and also at one of our main sponsors down on the beach, SWiM.”

The guitars event will also showcase the Yawl Spring Water company, which aims to reduce plastic with eco rechargeable and refillable water dispensers, and former Lyme fishmonger, Simon Bennett, who will promote his new cookbook, ‘The Wet Fish Book’, which explains how families can help the planet by eating more fish.

The music at the event, which will take place on June 15 from 10am to 10pm, will also be spreading the message too.

For the mass play-along on the beach, organisers have included songs by anti-climate change singers, Jackson Browne’s ‘Running On Empty’ and Neil Young’s ‘Rocking In The Free World’.

The other songs in the play-along, which forms the highlight of this event, include, ‘Have You Ever Seen the Rain?’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival, ‘Life’s Been Good’ by Joe Walsh, ‘Shotgun’ by George Ezra, ‘Place Your Hands’ by Reef, ‘Born To Be Wild’ by Steppenwolf, ‘La Bamba’ by Ritchie Valens, ‘Tulsa Time’ by Sheryl Crow, ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ by the Rolling Stones, ‘Love Shack’ by The B-52s, ‘Come Up And See Me’ by Steve Harley and Cliff Richard’s ‘On The Beach’.

There will also be a tribute to Buddy Holly, 60 years after his death, with all guitarists invited ot join in a set of his hits - ‘Peggy Sue’, ‘Not Fade Away’, ‘Oh Boy’ and GOTB’s traditional theme song, ‘Rave On’.

Artists performing at this year's event will include Romeo Romeo, Little Streets, Mark 'Buster' McAdams, Harvey Causley, Adam Sweet, Shake Down Ridge, The Funkin' Skunks, Grace and Jake, Georgis Robson and headliners Delta Tango 7.

One lucky person at the event will also go away with a top new guitar, a one-off collector’s item donated by Andertons - a guitar and musical instrument shop - details of which will be announced shortly.

The spokesperson said: “GOTB is hugely appreciative of the backing from all our generous sponsors, who essentially enable the event to happen.

“This year, Andertons are providing the amps, drums and backline equipment for the bands performing.

“We’re very grateful to them and our regular local sponsors like West Bay Snack Shack, SWiM, Lyme Bay Holidays, Lyme Regis Town Council and our other kind supporters.”

For more information about this year’s GOTB, visit www.guitarsonthebeach.com. To find out more about local climate change initiatives, visit www.plasticfreelyme.uk and www.turnlymegreen.co.uk.

GOTB began in 2013 when 2,276 guitarists came together to perform 'Rave On' and set a new UK record as Britain's biggest band.

A year later, GOTB broke its own record when a reported 3,000 guitarists assembled to perform 'Smoke On The Water', led by Deep Purple frontman, Ian Gillan.

The world record for the greatest number of guitarists playing together is held by Poland, where 7,411 guitarists gathered in Wroclaw in 2018.