A TEAM from Dorset is preparing to fly to Helsinki to hear if the Purbeck coastline is to be made a World Heritage Site.

It is the climax of a five-year push to get the stunning coastline ranked alongside the likes of the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef.

Well-known local landmarks such as Dancing Ledge, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door have been put forward as examples of the natural and unique beauty that still exists along the coast.

Securing the worldwide accolade would give a massive boost to tourism - particularly out-of-season "eco-tourism" - and provide educational field and study trips for schools and researchers.

It is thought the area could be marketed around the world as the "Jurassic Coast" because of its wealth of fossils and dramatic examples of the earth's history through geographic processes.

"We want people to come and enjoy themselves and also out-of-season tourism," said Richard Edmonds, Dorset County Council's geology expert.

While not expecting to attract millions more visitors each year, Mr Edmonds said: "We want to provide information for people who already come here, assist educational groups to come and study and increase out-of-season breaks such as fossil-collecting."

Gaining world heritage status would lead to the area being tastefully and sympathetically marketed, according to Dorset County Council.

The decision on awarding the new status will be made by the United Nations' body Unesco when its World Heritage Committee meets in Sweden between December 12-14.

Dorset council's Tim Badman and Professor Denys Brunsden, chairman of the Dorset Coast Forum, will represent the county at the Helsinki meeting.