DORSET residents are invited to help keep their coastlines clean on Sunday, April 26, as part of a county-wide initiative.

Locals have been working together for 27 years to support the Litter Free Coast and Sea campaign, and the anniversary will be marked with clean-ups at 27 beaches around the county.

Organised by Dorset County Council’s coastal ranger team, volunteers will join a 'beach master' at each of the locations.

And local businesses are offering an incentive for those taking part, with many cafes, pubs and restaurants offering discounted meals to volunteers.

Last year , a total of 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.

Jenny Penney, senior coastal ranger for the 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."

For more information about the 2015 Great Dorset Beach Clean, visit dorsetforyou.com/greatdorsetbeachclean or call 07977508094.