FAMOUS faces of the television world are backing a campaign to support marine life off the coast of Hampshire.

Wildlife expert Chris Packham, actress Rula Lenska and weatherman Michael Fish, pictured, have joined Operation Seahorse, launched by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

The campaign is to raise awareness of the marine environment and raise money for vital conservation work to help protect sealife including sand eels and predatory fish such as bass, rays and sharks that use the east coast of the Isle Of Wight as a breeding ground.

The seagrass beds of the Solent are also known to be protective habitats for seahorses as well as being home to the largest native oyster population in the country.

The Trust needs to raise cash to help conduct wildlife surveys of the Solent, with the daily cost around £450, and wants the Government to commit to more sea-based nature reserves.

For the full story and how to help, see today's Daily Echo.