DISABLED people will be able to get stuck into beach life at Weymouth using two new all-terrain wheelchairs.

Two local organisations funded the £2,600 wheelchairs, which will allow disabled people to be easily pushed on the sand, right to the water’s edge.

Youngsters Mitchel Harvey and Thomas Gilmartin were the first to try them out when they were launched on Weymouth Beach ahead of the summer season.

Watching them were representatives from sponsors Weymouth and Portland Lions Club and Weymouth Golf Club Charity Committee.

Thomas and Mitchel’s carer Maria Lochrie, 18, who was also there to see the launch, said: “Following initial discussions with Kevin Good at the Weymouth Beach Office to discuss this project, I approached a number of local businesses for sponsorship.

“It was great when Weymouth Golf Club and Weymouth and Portland Lions Club came forward with their support.

“As a carer for two local boys, Mitchel Harvey and Thomas Gilmartin, it will be great to see them and many other wheelchair users having access and lots of fun on the beach.”

Lions Community Services Committee chairman Norman Apps and committee member Les Board were impressed with the wheelchair at the launch.

Club president David Addy said: “The Lions are very pleased to be able to do this with funds raised throughout the year from our various events.

“This is just another example of our stated aim of putting donated funds back into the community.”

Bob Mico, chairman of Weymouth Golf Club Charity Committee and committee member Shirley Rudall also watched how their donation was spent.

Mr Mico said: “We thought it was a good cause to support and actually seeing them in operation on the beach was very good.”

The wheelchairs, for use by both residents and visitors, have large, wide wheels, rear suspension and are made of stainless steel so they will not rust.

They were provided by Active Mobility. Richard Binnie, store manager in Poundbury, said: “Active Mobility has always been involved in adaptations to wheelchairs for beach use since 1999.

“The idea in producing chairs that could be used on the beach was for people to see the idea and for extra funding for other chairs to catch on, but it wasn’t cost effective at the time.” Coun Andy Blackwood, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council member for culture, tourism and community facilities, said: “The beach wheelchair service on Weymouth Beach will certainly be very popular and a great service to be able to offer our wheelchair bound visitors.”