The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is joining forces with The Isle of Wight Distillery, helping to make the two counties wilder.

Home of the Island's Mermaid Gin, The Isle of Wight Distillery hopes the partnership will help protect The Solent's internationally important seagrass meadows.

The joint working's part of the Trust's Wilder Solent initiative.

The UK has lost more than 90 per cent of critical seagrass meadows in the last 100 years.

The grass-like leaves provide a unique ecosystem for marine wildlife and capture carbon around 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.

The meadows, which can be found on the Isle of Wight's coast, are nicknamed ‘the lungs of the ocean’.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Isle of Wight's Mermaid Gin makers Isle of Wight Distillery is joining forces with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to protect seagrass.

Xavier Baker, Isle of Wight Distillery (centre) with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife's Dr Tim Ferrero and Chief Executive Debbie Tann.

Xavier Baker, Co-Founder of the Isle of Wight Distillery said: "Through our Net Zero initiative, we’re already supporting seagrass meadows abroad, but wanted to also have impact locally.

"The Solent’s very dear to us all at the distillery, so we’re delighted to be part of the #WilderSolent initiative.

"Having gone plastic-free two years ago and then achieving Net Zero, it’s just another step in our journey to being an environmentally-responsible business."

As well as financially supporting the project, the team will take part in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust ‘Marine Ambassador’ training scheme.

Staff will have the opportunity to become Solent ‘Marine Champions’ - supporting surveys and beach clean-ups.

Dr Tim Ferrero, Senior Marine Biologist at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: “Enabling seagrass to restore to its historical levels needs a multi-faceted approach. Our Solent Seagrass Restoration Project is one part of the puzzle but equally as important is increasing awareness and support for this incredible marine species.

"This partnership will help inspire others and create a movement of businesses and individuals acting for seagrass, as well as other marine wildlife living in these waters. Together we will create a Wilder Solent”.