A NATURAL world heritage site is now the responsibility of a local trust organisation.

The Jurassic Coast Trust has been announced as the new guardian of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site - or as it is commonly known the Jurassic Coast.

The area stretches from Studland Bay in Dorset, to Orcombe Point in Exmouth, East Devon.

The world heritage site, which received the accolade from the United Nation's Scientific, Cultural and Educational body - UNESCO - in 2001, has been managed by Dorset and Devon County Councils for the last 16 years.

Now England's only natural world heritage site will be maintained and cared for by the Jurassic Coast Trust.

Over the 16-year period, the councils have maintained the site and grown the area's reputation with new visitor centres and museums, and the delivery of a range of educational activities.

As an independent organisation, the trust aims to make the Jurassic Coast an even more meaningful and inspiring part of people's lives.

The trust already has the support of a number of local businesses and ambassadors.

Alex O'Dwyer, vice chair of the Jurassic Coast Trust, said: "The Jurassic Coast Trust is thrilled to be taking on responsibility for the management of this extraordinary world heritage site.

"Our work over the last few years, alongside the country councils, has been to build understanding of the coast and engage people in it, so that they will care for it and cherish it."

The Trust will be working coast-wide from its new base in Bridport.

One of its early highlights is the collaboration with the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester to bring ‘Dippy’, the Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus skeleton, to the Jurassic Coast.

To find out more about this and the work of the Jurassic Coast Trust visit www.jurassiccoast.org.