AN AREA of deep water corals found off the coast of Scotland by Southampton scientists is to be turned into Britain's first deep-sea marine reserve.

Scientists from Southampton Oceanography Centre found the rare habitat, called Darwin Mounds, in 1998, which is now under threat from deep water trawler fishing.

Under new European powers, it is proposed to make it a Special Area of Conservation, protecting it for further study.

The site was located when sonar pictures showed a field of strange mounds and teardrop-shaped seabed features. It was then investigated from aboard the Royal Research Ship Charles Darwin - hence the name of the site.

One of the investigation team said: "These small mounds and their coral growths are particularly vulnerable to the heavy trawling gear used in deep water. The designation of the Darwin Mounds marine protected area would serve as a marker to the rational management of the UK's deep-water resources - its oil and gas, its fish stocks, and its great biological diversity. Good environmental management will allow the sustainable use of deep-water fisheries."