WILDLIFE charities have been given a major funding boost to help marine life.

Three Wildlife Trusts - Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire - have received £300,000 to champion and protect important wildlife and habitats in the Irish Sea.

The five-year grant has been awarded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to fund staff to carry out important marine policy work and promotion across the North West and wider Irish Sea.

Dr Emily Baxter, Senior Marine Conservation Officer for the North West Wildlife Trusts said: “This is fantastic news.

“This is a significant grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

“It means that we can continue and expand our work towards protecting the Irish Sea over the next five years.

“It will build our capacity to lobby on important issues such as Marine Protected Areas and sustainable fisheries.

“It will also support collaborative working with other Wildlife Trusts and external bodies.”