SOME of Norfolk's finest coastal wildlife and wild places will be opened up more than ever to the public across the next two weeks as a host of educational events are held.

SOME of Norfolk's finest coastal wildlife and wild places will be opened up more than ever to the public across the next two weeks as a host of educational events are held.

The National Marine Week will last more than a fortnight to August 16 and though the idea is mainly to show off the county's marine environments and discover why they are so special, events will also focus on the coastal margins.

One of these is Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Holme Dunes where on Saturday warden Gary Hibberd helped visitors investigate the world of moths as he revealed some of the nocturnal goings-on at a reserve perhaps best known for its birds and beach.

The 'Marvellous Moths' event will be repeated on both Saturdays over the next two weeks as the NWT runs daily events to explore all aspects of Norfolk's marine and coastal environments.

Wildlife trust staff hope the events will help people across the county cherish the native marine life, understand more about the threats facing it and get involved in protecting seas and sea life.

Director of the wildlife trust Brendan Joyce said: “We want people to get out and start to explore what lives in, on and around our shores and to discover the secrets of our seas too.

“The trust is running an event every day to highlight how wonderful our coastline is, but also to increase awareness of the issues facing our marine environment.”

In April the trust launched a survey of Norfolk's coastal wildlife and is still welcoming sightings. Education manager David North said: “We are mapping the distribution of sea-holly, grayling butterfly, harbour porpoise and yellow horned-poppy with its beautiful yellow flowers.

“All are believed to be declining in the county. The fifth species in our survey is the slipper limpet, a non-native that is spreading into Norfolk waters. We are appealing to local people and tourists to keep their eyes peeled and contact us with any sightings.”

Survey forms and further details about all marine week events are available from the trust's information service on 01603 598333 or online at norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk.