DISABLED and elderly people will be able to enjoy all the fun of the seaside, thanks to the launch of a free wheelchair service on Weymouth beach.

Donated to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council by local business Active Mobility, the specially designed wheelchair, called a De-Bug, will be available from the bank holiday weekend and throughout the summer season.

The chairs can be hired through Weymouth beach control office, but it may be necessary to ring and book in advance, as it is expected to be very popular.

Council outdoor leisure manager, Matthew Ryan, said that in recent years the council had run trials on many different types of beach wheelchair, and thanked Active Mobility for their donation, which allows the service to be free.

Richard Binnie, Active Mobility company director, said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to donate this specially adapted wheelchair to Weymouth tourism.

"It has been a huge success in Florida and I believe it will be equally popular on Weymouth beach."

He added that the chairs, which usually cost about £2,000, have large front wheels that enable them to be pushed more easily over the beach, instead of front casters, which would dig into the sand.

The chairs have been in use for many years in America but have only been in the UK for about three years.

If the trial proves successful, the council hopes to develop the scheme and put more wheelchairs on the beach.

County organiser of Dorset Association for the Disabled, Angela Barnsley, said: "We are trying to make everything more accessible to people and these beach buggies will allow people to take part in activities on the beach with their families and friends. It's a very good idea and I applaud it."

To book a beach wheelchair, ring (01305) 765224