A NEW website is set to be launched to help people make the most of Dorset’s coast.

The creators of the iCoast website hope it will make a splash by giving surfers the know-how to plan coastal and water activities in the county.

It was created by the Dorset Coast Forum and web developers One Bright Space as part of the EU-funded C-SCOPE (Combining Sea and Coastal Planning in Europe) project.

The site will give people a range of vital information about water sports and coastal activities at the click of a button. They will have access to real-time weather, tidal and current information and sea conditions.

Bridget Betts, Dorset Coast Forum co-ordinator and climber, said: “iCoast is such an easy website to use and brings together all the information you would need to plan your coastal activities in one place. “It also gives information on how to carry out activities without impacting on the environment or other coastal users.”

Gary Fooks, deputy head of Weymouth and Portland 2012 operations, is looking forward to the benefits of iCoast as part of Dorset’s Olympics legacy.

He said: “When the Dorset coast is showcased to the world in 2012, iCoast will be a fantastic web tool to give instant virtual access.

“It will also provide a long-term legacy for local and visitor coastal users.”

iCoast will be officially launched by Robert Gould, Dorset County Council’s Cabinet member for environment and West Dorset District Council leader.

The website will be officially made available to all at 1pm on May 26. It can be found at icoast.co.uk.