DIRTY beaches get spruces up at events across the county over the weekend of September 19 to 22 with the Marine Conservation Society hoping for a record turnout.

The society is urging residents to take part in the Great British Beach Clean and there are plenty of coves and bays in Dorset to choose from.

There are events at Baiter Park, Bournemouth, Durdle Door, Friars Cliff Beach, Hengistbury Head, Holes Bay at Poole, Lulworth Cove, Whitley Lake, Knoll Beach, Ham Common and Worbarrow among others.

“Our domestic habits over the last 50 years or so have resulted in dirty beaches,” said Tom Bell, campaigns manager.

“We throw more stuff away than ever. Plastic in the marine environment may take hundreds of years to break down and it washes up or is blown on to beaches in bits from micro pieces to larger chunks.

“We flush stuff down the loo we shouldn’t, and that ends up in our waterways and then our beaches.

We want to see people turning out to clean up their favourite or local beach during our Great British Beach Clean weekend – please don’t turn your back on our beaches.”

To find dates and times and register go to mcsuk.org/ greatbritishbeachclean.

Alternatively, call 01989 567807 for information.