Deputy PM highlights sea pollution

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott highlights sea pollution

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott MP has spent World Oceans Day campaigning for cleaner seas by going for a dive off St Mary's Island, Whitley Bay.

Wearing a wet suit and festooned with breathing gear, he spent only 10 minutes in the water with representatives of Newcastle diving centre and the World Wide Fund for Nature because the choppy conditions cut visibility below the surface almost to nil.

St Mary's, just 100 yards off the coast and reached on foot at low tide, is the first Voluntary Maritime Nature Reserve in Northern England and has an underwater nature trail.

Mr Prescott used the occasion as a trailer for the Government's mission to a United Nations conference which he, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Environment Minister Michael Meacher will be attending in New York later this month.

"I see the oceans deteriorating and that is why, at the conference in a couple of weeks, Tony and I will be talking about a special initiative", said Mr Prescott.

"We are an island nation, we get our character, our heritage, our history and climate from the seas. We have got to look after them."

Mr Prescott said he chose St Mary's to make the point because "there are only a few wonderful facilities like this. I haven't visited it before. This is exceptional."

He plans to return as soon as possible during calmer weather so he can see the local delights better. "Today it was a bit like politics - murky", he added.