Schoolchildren help rescue crabs before lake clearance

Schoolchildren are helping relocate crabs to the sea from a lake before excess sediment is removed from its bed.

The crustaceans were captured using hook-free crab lines and pots, ahead of being identified and measured by a team from the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences.

Organised by the city council, the work on the lake is being carried out as its water has reduced in depth in some areas.

It follows years of sediment build-up that caused algae growth in the summer and water quality complications.

The trial at the lake on Southsea's seafront is set to start on Thursday.

Prof Alex Ford, from the university, said: "It's great to be working with the council, not only in rescuing the crabs but providing an opportunity for school children to engage in marine biology.

"This project will allow them to generate their own data to use in class for a wide range of subjects."

The data gathered by the Marine Biology Research Group will also be used in ongoing research into the health of local marine environments.