A STAGGERING 694 sacks of rubbish were removed from the county’s coastline during this year’s Great Dorset Beach Clean, it has been confirmed.

This disturbing total, from 24 beaches including Bournemouth, Poole, Studland and Swanage, included a 25-litre container of sump oil, a homemade trolley and even an empty car park ticket machine cash box.

Other discarded items recovered that posed a risk to people and wildlife were a giant fishing aerial and numerous broken bottles and smashed glass.

Dorset County Council’s coastal ranger team organised the annual blitz which was supported by 923 people this year – more than 300 extra than last year’s event.

Beach clean coordinator Jenny Penney said: “I am overwhelmed with this year’s response by volunteers. “It is fabulous that people are donating their time to help clean-up the beaches along the coastline.

“I would like to thank everyone for their tremendous effort they made on the day.”

Now organisers are looking ahead to the autumn beach clean, which takes place on September 22.

A county council spokesman described the purpose of the September event to identify and categorise litter left on beaches during the summer.

“Volunteers are needed to help with cleaning and monitoring beaches,” added the spokesman. “In this way we hope to make people aware of the bigger problems associated with the health and safety of our environment.”

During Bournemouth’s part of the beach clean event, earlier this month, people from all walks of life gave up their free time. Among them, 56-year-old homeless man Rob Williams told the Daily Echo: “I have been in Bournemouth for a long time and I love the beach. I like to be near the sea and want to do my bit keeping it clean.”

Last year’s beach clean attracted around 600 volunteers who collected more than 500 bags of rubbish.