THE TIDE is turning for the Solent - thanks to a £640,000 windfall which will be used to help save its natural treasures.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to fund a project to preserve the marine heritage.

It comes amid increasing concern about Man’s impact on waterways around the UK.

A trust spokesman said: “Local seas are under real pressure from plastics, pollution and damaging activities, and marine wildlife has declined rapidly in recent years.

“The trust will work with a wide range of local organisations and a large team of volunteers to make sure more people appreciate, understand and support the Solent.”

Trust members hope the project will lead to less pollution and more information about underwater wildlife.

Other goals include better legal protection and management of sensitive areas and more sustainable seafood produced by local fisheries.

Tim Ferrero, marine policy specialist at the trust, said: “Many people think our local seas are devoid of life but that’s so far from the truth.

“There are some incredible and precious underwater landscapes just off our coast - seagrass meadows, chalk reefs and rocky sponge gardens which are home to sea bass, seals, colourful anemones, sea squirts and cuttlefish.

“But we have reached a tipping point and without action the Solent could lose all its fantastic natural treasures.

“If we are going to turn the tide and improve the Solent’s fortunes, we need people to appreciate what’s at stake and take action.”

“So we’re delighted to have received this award, thanks to National Lottery players, and are excited to work with others to ensure that the Solent is something we can continue to love and be proud of for generations to come.”

Michelle Roffe, head of HLF South East, added: “This award is fantastic news for Hampshire WWT, and could not be more timely. With films such as Plastic Ocean, and the recent Blue Planet II, public awareness of plastic pollution to our seas and waterways has never been higher.

“Now the people of the Solent will be able to take an active role in this vital work to protect their local seas and under-water wildlife for future generations.”