WALKERS near Weymouth have celebrated the official opening of the first section of coastpath to have the new coastal access rights.

Members of the Ramblers joined representatives from Natural England, the National Trust, the South West Coastpath team and Dorset County Council to stride out between Weymouth and Osmington Mills.

The 17-mile stretch was divided up, with one party starting at Rufus Castle on Portland and meeting up with the other walkers at the Lookout Café at Bowleaze Cove before they all headed off to Osmington Mills.

They were joined by Ramblers president Kate Ashbrook, who said: “It is absolutely fantastic that this stretch of path is open and it is the start of something really big.

“The path is in the Ramblers guidebook dating back to the 1930s, so it goes back a long way.

“We have also had excellent support from other agencies and this is a huge success for everyone involved.”

Ramblers Association campaigns officer Rhiannon Wadeson added: “This is a really great day and it’s so exciting to be a part of it.

“Weymouth is really special because this is the first part of the coastpath to be opened and it’s happening just in time for the Olympics.”

Former Dorset Wildlife Trust chief executive Peter Scupholme also turned out to take part in the walk from Bowleaze to Osmington.

He said: “If we can get a coast path the whole way round the UK it will be amazing.

“It can get people to appreciate their own space and get out and see it. So many times I ask people what bit of Dorset they like best and they say ‘the coast’, but they never actually get out there and explore it.

“Maybe this path will get them out enjoying it more.”