Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary is making sea turtle conservation its priority campaign this year and are in need of a passionate youngster to lead their global awareness drive.

The 'Sea Turtle Champion' will help win support for efforts to reduce plastic pollution and highlight measures to reduce bycatch and protect nests.

The young marine-life enthusiast will later have a chance of becoming the national and international champion and see sea turtle protection work in the wild.

Head of Sea Life Trust Andy Bool said: 'All seven species of sea turtles are endangered.

'There are many vital conservation and protection programmes underway worldwide but like all such efforts they can only succeed if there is widespread public support for them.

'That's where our champions come in - they can help direct greater public attention towards all these projects, including the Trust's own endeavours, and help make this year a real turning point in the fortunes of these magnificent and iconic sea creatures.'

The first assignment for the champion will be to work with the Sea Life team to put together an educational video about the plight of sea turtles, which will feature Ernie the Giant Green Sea Turtle.

The film will appear on the Hunstanton website and Facebook pages and will be judged along with similar films from other regions to find the National Sea Turtle Champion.

To enter, young sea life fans aged between 11 and 14 must send in their own 'sea turtle stories' which can be either a factual account involving a real-life sea turtle or a fictional story using factual details about a particular species of turtle.

Stories must be no more than 1,000 words, illustrated if possible, and can be submitted by e-mail to Slchunstanton@merlinentertainments.biz or sent to Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary, Southern Promenade, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 5BH.

The closing date is Tuesday, February 28 and the winner will be announced by Friday, March 31.