Hayley MaceFishermen and people living near the coast can find out more about proposals to create protected offshore wildlife habitats.Areas around the Wash and off Lowestoft and Yarmouth have been suggested as sites for new Marine Conservation Zones, which means they could be among the country's first protected areas of sea and seabed.Hayley Mace

Fishermen and people living near the coast can find out more about proposals to create protected offshore wildlife habitats.

Areas around the Wash and off Lowestoft and Yarmouth have been suggested as sites for new Marine Conservation Zones, which means they could be among the country's first protected areas of sea and seabed.

As part of the consultation process, people who have an interest in the North Sea and its future, from wildlife lovers to ramblers to fishermen, are being given the chance to find out more.

Public meetings are being held at King's Lynn town hall tomorrow at 4pm and 7pm, and at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft on Tuesday at 3pm and 6pm.

The meetings are being organised by Net Gain, the group in charge of implementing whichever sites are chosen for protection in the North Sea.

Joanna Redhead, Net Gain project manager, said: 'It is important to outline the project and the various ways that people can get involved.

'This is a once in a lifetime chance. You have to be in it to shape the outcome. This is your chance to get involved and help identify the Marine Conservation Zone sites that are needed.'

For more information, visit www.netgainmcz.org.