AFTER hordes of people flocked to a Dorset beach at the weekend, a team of dedicated volunteers have been cleaning up the atrocious mess they left behind.

As if the shocking scenes of people packing Durdle Door and the dangerous actions of people jumping from the iconic arch were not enough, pictures of the aftermath left behind by selfish beach-goers at the weekend have revealed the environmental impact of their actions.

Volunteer beach cleaners have shared images of the litter-strewn beach after the masses of visitors from the weekend left their waste behind at the World Heritage Site. Rubbish was also dumped next to overflowing bins, instead of people taking their waste home to dispose of properly.

Lucy Culkin, CEO of Jurassic Coast Trust, has called for more respect to be given to Dorset's outstanding natural heritage. She said: "The lack of respect for our coastline shown by some has deeply saddened our local communities and visitors alike.

"The Jurassic Coast is an iconic World Heritage Site, with landforms that attract world-wide notoriety for research, education, science and engagement. To witness the disregard with which Durdle Door, our beaches and coast paths have been treated is shocking.

"We have received hundreds of messages from members of the public highlighting the appalling volume of litter on beaches; the human waste, sanitary items and surgical masks and gloves found at the top of Golden Cap and numerous disposable BBQ’s found on footpaths next to open fields in dry, hot conditions.

"Please take your rubbish home, please be respectful to local communities, please think twice about coming to the Jurassic Coast until the time is right. We sincerely hope to not see a repeat of these events over the coming weeks."

James Weld of The Lulworth Estate condemned the actions of beach-goers. He said: "I find it absolutely incredible that those visiting such a beautiful area as Lulworth and Durdle Door make a conscious decision to leave their rubbish on the beach and in the surrounding countryside. Our staff often need to begin work before 6am to clear the beaches of the debris left behind and can collect as much as 40 bags off a single beach each day."

Volunteers, like Erin Tyrrell from Poole, helped clean the beach once the masses left. She said: "There has to be more prevention. Of a site that is such an important landmark, people are getting away with far too much damage. Preventative measures need to be taken, not purely reactive ones."

Anna Lois Taylor, also from Poole, helped clean up after the hordes of people flocking to the seaside too. She said: "My Monday was spent traipsing around the West Lulworth area collecting litter. I've seen first hand how little respect people have for the area.

"I was picking things up that I really shouldn't have to pick up. I had litter thrown at me, I had bags and bags of rubbish dumped near me to deal with, I've had people shouting at me when I asked them nicely to take their litter with them.

"There was no social distancing, people were still jumping off the arch and doing whatever they wanted to do, regardless of what is going on in the world and the need to look after our lovely planet."