"Last year, our volunteers collected over 4,000 items of litter from just nine beaches."

Keeping our beautiful coastline clean is an on-going problem, explains Marine Conservation Society (MCS)'s Beachwatch manager Lauren Eyles.

But a number of organisations are joining forces to tackle just this as part of the Great British Beach Clean.

Taking place from September 16 to 19, the annual event attracts thousands of volunteers who help clean hundreds of beaches all around the UK.

However, in Dorset last year, just nine beaches were cleaned by less than 200 volunteers, so MCS, the UK's leading marine charity, has now teamed up with Litter Free Coast and Sea, a small community campaign, and the local Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) representative for Dorset Jess Bone.

It is hoped that, by joining forces with local environmental charities, the autumn beach cleaning initiative will receive a much-needed boost in the county.

“We’re really keen to see more volunteers out on Dorset beaches in 2016, and we’d like to see more beaches in the county being cleaned too," says Lauren.

"Last year, our data revealed over 3,000 items of litter for every kilometre of coastline we cleaned in Dorset – which is just below the national average.

"With the county relying heavily on tourism, it’s vital that beaches are litter free to ensure visitors return again and again to its many beautiful coastal areas."

Natalie Poulter, from Litter Free Coast and Sea, says Dorset's communities have a great track record for getting involved in taking care of the county's beaches.

“In April more than 800 people took part in the Great Dorset Beach clean, and we'd love even more to join in this September for the Great British Beach Clean," she adds.

"We're working with partner organisations and community groups to cover as many beaches as possible, so there are plenty of options to find a beach near you.

"There’s always room to add more though, so anyone wanting to run a beach clean on a site not currently listed should go to the MCS to register a new event.”

With Dorset being such a popular tourist destination, Jess Bone, from SAS, is hoping the groups' collective strength will provide the county's beaches with some "much-needed TLC" after a busy summer season, so they can be enjoyed by all for years to come.

Now all of the organisations are urging people to come forward and sign up for a beach clean near them.

“We’d love to see people heading to the Dorset coastline and helping clean up the county’s beaches," says Lauren."

"Last year nine beaches were cleaned in Dorset, and we’d like that figure to rise in 2016. So please get in touch if you fancy either running a beach clean or helping at one."

To get involved in the Great British Beach Clean 2016 in Dorset and be part of the most influential fight against marine litter in the UK visit mcusk.org/beachwatch You can also speak to the team on 01989 566017.

If you can’t make it to a beach at the end of September, but would still like to help MCS combat the problem of marine litter, then join the charity or make a donation at mcsuk.org You can also sign up to help with events at other times of the year by visiting mcsuk.org/beachwatch