THE MAN praised for his role as chairman of the group responsible for winning World Heritage Site status for Dorset's coast has stepped down from the post.

Professor Denys Brunsden, 68, retired from the Dorset Coast Forum at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy yesterday.

Since its beginnings a decade ago the group has won the county national and international acclaim.

The organisation secured the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site status from Unesco, putting it on a par with the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef.

Last month it won the International Tourism for Tomorrow 2005 award - a competition aimed at rewarding 'responsible tourism' and entered by 30 countries across the globe.

In a written statement Jim Knight, MP for South Dorset, said: "World Heritage Site status for our coast is of huge importance to us in Dorset. Much of the potential is yet to be realised but it ensures that the Dorset coast is given the status it merits amongst local and international politicians so that we ensure that it is managed sustainably.

"We could not have achieved this without Denys.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my contact with him as a fellow trustee of the World Heritage Coast Trust. I know how much his work is trusted and valued by everyone with an interest in the coast."

Mr Knight added that he hoped his new role as Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs junior minister could help the group in the future.

Professor Brunsden praised Dorset Coast Forum members. He said: "I'm very upbeat about the future of the group. It's a fantastic organisation. They work well together and talk to one another.

"When you have 120 or so people talking with one voice, let's say about dolphins, then things get done."

He added: "The highlight has got to be winning World Heritage Site status.

"The other main thing I will take away is friendship. The most amazing thing is, I know everybody by their first name and they know me. And we have achieved good things."

Professor Brunsden was awarded the OBE in 2003 in recognition of his chairmanship of the forum and his services to geoconservation and geomorphology.

He is to be replaced by Dr Robert Huggins, an environmental scientist, who could not attend yesterday's forum meeting because he was working abroad.