Warnings and advice from emergency services were repeatedly ignored in Dorset over the weekend, rubbish left on its beaches and in many cases, social distancing forgotten.

Councils are calling on residents and visitors to act responsibly and not be a ‘Covid-iot’.

Many of the county’s beauty spots had an increase in visitors, with some beaches and roads having to be closed, including West Bexington, and three people were seriously injured after jumping off Durdle Door on Saturday. Crowds of people had to gather together as the air ambulance landed.

Emergency services were called again to the beauty spot on Sunday to reports of people climbing the iconic arch who had ignored road closed signs.

After nearly two weeks of battling the devastating fire at Wareham Forest, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service urged people not to have barbecues in the open or bonfires.

However, on Saturday, crews from Bridport and Charmouth were called to a fire at the top of Langdon Hill and to Asker Meadows, which were both caused by a disposable barbecue.

Dave Rickard, leader of Bridport Town Council, is asking visitors to respect the town and its residents as Bridport is ‘not just a tourist destination’.

He said: “We saw some terrible scenes last weekend at Durdle Door and although there was nothing on that scale here, we did see instances of people not adhering to social distancing, and the amount of litter, including abandoned barbecues, left on the beach and elsewhere was completely unacceptable.

“I say to visitors, do please come but appreciate that it’s not business as usual in coastal resorts, and don’t be a ‘Covid-iot’. Consider our residents and our public services and follow three simple rules - if it looks busy, try somewhere quieter, respect other people’s need for social distancing and hygiene and take your litter home.

In Lyme Regis, town clerk John Wright reported that it was busy, but not as busy as they would expect for this time of year, with car parks not full, no big queues at public toilets and the majority of people socially distancing. However, anti-social behaviour and barbecues on the beach were an issue.

He said: “There were several incidents of anti-social behaviour, particularly on the beach, where there were large groups of people, some of them intoxicated, playing loud music and being rowdy.

“We have received reports of bonfires on Monmouth Beach close to the beach huts and the undercliffs. There were lots of barbecues on the main beach, which are allowed, but under the current circumstances, the advice is to avoid having them.

“There are barbecue bins on the seafront so please use them, but use them responsibly, as we have had several fires in the bins as people are putting litter in them.

“It is good to see people enjoying our town again and getting the local economy moving, but it shouldn’t be at the risk of people’s health and safety, so please, act responsibly and be considerate.”

West Dorset MP said he has discussed the situation with Government, Dorset Council and town councils and will continue to do so.

He said: “We currently have the lowest number of coronavirus cases in the UK.

“It is clear that we must now focus on re-energising the economy by taking personal responsibility for our own individual safety, social distancing and hygiene.

“The real issue is the careless use of disposable barbecues, combined with litter being irresponsibly left behind and consequent fires being caused. So, li ask residents and visitors alike not to have barbecues away from home and I’d like to thank the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service crews for their extraordinary work in fighting fires over recent weeks.”

Fed-up Dorset residents have now started a petition on change.org to stop people leaving counties during the lock down. It has so far been signed by more than 5,400 people.