Training sessions for beach clean up volunteers are being arranged in the Eastern Bay of Plenty today in anticipation of oil reaching the Eastern Bay coastline.

Oil globules have appeared on Mount Maunganui beaches and the Eastern Bay of Plenty is fearing the same fate.

Volunteer coordinator Bruce Fraser says the training is precautionary at this stage.

'We don't know exactly when or if oil will reach our coastline but we want to be prepared if it does.

'Over 100 people from Ohope and Matata have been trained already. Training more people will allow local residents and iwi to get ready and equipped to respond immediately. Personal protective equipment is being arranged in Whakatane to be distributed around the training sessions.

Over 1000 people have already donned protective equipment and cleaned beaches spanning Mount Maunganui to Pukehina through Operation Beach Clean. Sunday will see hundreds more people out on the beaches helping to return our beaches to normal.

The training sessions will take place at the following locations and times. Please note that if oil reaches the coastline before the training sessions take place, a clean up session may follow immediately after the training.

Those wanting to help can volunteer in the Eastern Bay can register through www.boprc.govt.nz/oilspillvolunteers or phone 0800 645 774.

Alternatively you can turn up to a training session and register on the day.

For further information or to register to volunteer please see the volunteer hub website www.boprc.govt.nz