Dumped litter threatening Dorset marine life

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Richard Slee

Environmental campaigners say litter dumped by people who use the waters off the coast of Poole is threatening marine life and ruining one of the country's best-loved coastlines.

The warning comes after an extra 2000 hectares of the harbour has been recognised as an area of scientific interest.

Volunteers are patrolling the water to remove the litter and urging people to be more careful with their rubbish. MVS Poole has teamed up with local charity, Oceans to Earth and Dorset County Council's Coastal Officer, to work together to help combat litter in Poole Harbour.

The location of the litter is also being documented which will help environmental campaigners build a more accurate picture of the source of the problem. 

• In the harbour, the team often come across floating debris, which is difficult to grab and the more remote beaches offer a variety of examples of what's usually collected on these patrols

Volunteers plan to clear the water of all plastic and rubbish where possible while also documenting where it was found and reporting back to Oceans to Earth to help build a picture of what's going on in the local environment in real time.