Elspeth congratulates people of Arran on the success of Coast campaign

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Sep 2008

Elspeth has expressed her delight at the news that Lamlash Bay on Arran will become Scotland's first community marine reserve, and offered her congratulations to all the local campaigners whose hard work made this possible.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said:

"I'm delighted that all the hard work of the people of Arran has finally paid off.

Throughout my time on the fisheries committee in the European Parliament I have consistently argued that local communities must be fully engaged if we are to achieve a balance between sustainable fishing and environmental protection.

The conservation area will help restore Arran's beauty below the waves, and I very much look forward to my next visit."

END

For more on the campaign:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7628288.stm