The seaweed washed up by recent heavy weather is mainly kelp

Christchurch council in Dorset says the weed, mainly kelp, makes an excellent fertiliser when it is rotted down.

They are also hoping that local farmers will help put it to good use rather than it being sent to landfill sites.

The seaweed can be collected by car or on foot from Avon Beach in Mudeford, near Christchurch.

Its moisturising properties mean seaweed can also be used for face masks.

Colin Jamieson, a borough councillor, said: "It is such a huge amount of weed and very unusual to have this amount deposited on the beaches at this time of the year.

"An average summer would normally see around 1 -2 tonnes which shifts and beds in naturally but there is far too much material for this to happen.

"We want to be able to dispose of the weed in the most environmentally friendly way we can and are happy to give the material to local farmers."