IDYLLIC Brownsea Island is staging a Big Beach Picnic on Saturday July 4 as the National Trust celebrates 50 years of public support for protecting the coastline.

The picnic on the Poole Harbour island is one of 15 taking place in the south west and people are invited to take their own food or head to the Villano Cafe where there will be live music between 11am and 2pm and an array of scones and cakes to choose from.

Summer toys and games will be available on Church Field, or go further into the island to find a perfect picnic spot. Due to the tide there won't be enough beach showing at lunchtime, but will drop during the afternoon.

There will be the chance to "toast the coast" with cups supplied and donations will be sought to buy a wheelchair suitable vehicle to make the island more accessible.

"Our Big Beach Picnics will be a terrific way of bringing people together on the same day at one of our coastal places for some fun but also to help us celebrate 50 years of coastline care," said Bella Crawford, SW coastal engagement officer.

There are boats from Sandbanks and Poole from 10am and the last boat leaves the island at 5pm. For more information go to nationaltrust.org.uk/swcoast.