Running until 1 November, Dorset Wildlife Trust has organised the beach cleans with Wessex Water, who have donated 25 new litter pickers, made from recycled ocean plastic, to help with the project.

Marine litter causes problems on beaches and in seas and oceans around the world. It is harmful, and often fatal, to wildlife that can get tangled in, or eat, it. It is believed marine litter causes the deaths of over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles each year.

Dorset Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers normally remove about a ton of litter each year from Chesil Beach. This year, Covid-19 restrictions have meant this has not been possible.

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s coastal centre manager Marc Kativu-Smith said, “Marine litter is a real problem for wildlife and sadly we see it regularly on the nature reserve at Chesil Beach and around the Fleet Lagoon. We are delighted to now have new measures in place to keep everyone safe and are inviting small bubbles of six people or less to book a timeslot. Litter pickers will be provided, but we recommend you wear some thick gardening gloves. You can book your slot on 01305 206191.”

Tim Stevens, of Wessex Water said, “We’re lucky to have wonderful beaches like Chesil in our region and it’s great to be part of this unique clean-up. Many people are unaware of the environmental impact of flushing items such as wet wipes, which often contain plastic and cause blockages in sewers that lead to pollutions.”

Visitors are also invited into the Chesil Beach Centre to play a game of Bubble Beachcombing Bingo.

Families can also have fun at Kimmeridge, where the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre is hiring out seashore explorer backpacks during the October half term for £6. The pack includes a plastic free crabline, eggcase hunt leaflet, nurdle cup, shell hunt booklet, and seashore code booklet to keep. For more information call 01929 481044. 

For more information go to: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-visitor-centres.