Those hoping to get out and about this weekend are urged to plan ahead.

The weather forecast is set for warm and sunny for this weekend and Dorset Council wants residents and visitors to enjoy the summer safely.

It says there are measures in place across the county to cope with an influx of visitors to Dorset. But the council’s advice is :

• Be prepared to sit in traffic.

• Make sure you have plenty of water with you.

• Have face coverings handy if you need to use shops for supplies.

• If the spot you are heading for is busy, then find a less busy area.

• If it’s getting too busy for social distancing, then head home.

Coastal towns and rural beaches are obvious hotspots and the council says it is confident it has robust plans in place, working alongside its partners, to manage the potential for high numbers of visitors across Dorset.

Anyone planning a day out is encouraged to ‘know before you go’ and to plan ahead before setting off on a day trip.

Know where you are going to park when you reach your destination as some places require visitors to book parking in advance. Car parks in busy places generally fill up by mid-morning so have an alternative plan on where you can park.

Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council portfolio holder for economic growth and skills, said: “ We welcome visitors to our beautiful county, but we want them to be respectful of our local communities by not using disposable BBQs, taking litter home and parking considerately.

“Everyone should still be maintaining social distancing and keeping up with good hand washing practices and using face coverings where appropriate whether on the beach, in a pub or out shopping.”

More about staying safe outside your home can be found at gov.uk / staying-safe-outside-your-home