CAMPAIGNERS will urge parliamentary candidates to sign up as 'Coastal Champions' when a special fishing boat stops off in Lyme Regis next week.

Fishing boat Rising Tide will visit the town on Wednesday as part of a tour of coastal communities in the run up to May's general election - with parliamentary candidates being asked to give their approval following a question and answer session.

A public meeting will take place at the Cobb Centre between 6pm and 7.30pm.

The tour is being organised by the New Under Ten Fishermen's Association (nutfa) and Greenpeace - who share a common interest in supporting local, low-impact fishing boats as a solution to falling fish stocks and struggling coastal communities.

Volunteers have collected around 500 signatures in Lyme Regis, Bridport and West Bay - which have been put onto bunting to decorate the Rising Tide.

Hive Beach Café at Burton Bradstock have been supporters of the nutfa/Greenpeace campaign since 2012.

Head chef Barry George said: “We source our produce from the local day boats because we believe in their ethics and fishing methods.

"There is nothing that compares with the quality they provide. We support the demands for a higher quota to go to low-impact, local fishermen."