VOLUNTEERS are set gather on the Purbeck cliffs to take part in a special dolphin and whale watch.

Members of Durlston Dolphin Watch will meet at the cliff top pathway at Durlston, as part of the Seawatch Foundation's National Whale and Dolphin Week.

This year, Durlston volunteers are dedicating their effort to the memory of John Dando, a former dolphin watcher of 27 years who recently passed away.

Durlston Dolphin Watch, which as 14 members, was established in 1988 after a number of dolphin sightings were reported from the cliff top path.

The most recent sighting came on July 9 from the National Coastwatch Institute lookout at St Alban's Head, when four Bottlenose Dolphins were spotted three miles offshore.

Durlston Country Park ranger Paul Jones said: "I was lucky to share the sighting of a Bottlenose Dolphin with a school group earlier this year.

"Our marine visitor spent several days focused on a fishing pot off Tilly Whim caves. On a good day at Durlston you may even hear dolphins exhale through their blow holes when they surface to take in air."

In 2016 there were 59 marine mammal sightings off Durlston, which included 27 days when dolphins and 12 day when seal were spotted. The group's volunteers gave up more than 300 hours of their time on the lookout.Paul said: "Durston Dolphin Watch is just one superb example of how dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers support our small ranger team at Durlston Country Park.

"There are plenty of opportunities for all to get involved at Durlston and other countryside sites."

Group members are particularly keen for photographs of dolphin's dorsal fins, which can help them identify individuals.

Durlston Dolphin Watch volunteers will be keeping a watch at Durlston all day on Thursday, August 3.