CHILDREN are being urged to go turtle crazy this half-term in a fun project that will highlight the importance of the environment.

Staff at Weymouth Sea Life Park are preparing for Turtle Fest, a range of conservation-led activities which will help raise money for endangered Loggerhead turtles in Greece.

One of those activities is a bid to make the world’s largest papier mache turtle shell.

Unwanted newspapers are now needed to help with the effort.

Curator Fiona Smith said: “We wanted kids to get hands on making something fun while teaching them about the importance of looking after their environment and recycling. We are also going for a world record attempt.

“Therefore we are asking the public for as many unwanted newspapers we can get our hands on.”

Fiona added: “Last year we were kindly donated hundreds of unwanted towels for our five rescued disabled turtles. So we are hoping for the same support this time round.”

Other activities during Turtle Fest will include playing an instrument in the park’s Recycled Rubbish Band, a limbo competition, turtle conservation talks, turtle games and a turtle quiz.

Visitors will also be invited to join in Sea Life’s Make a Turtle Smile campaign and upload a photo of themselves pulling a turtle smile with their forefingers to a Facebook page which can be found at facebook.com/visitsealife In partnership with conservation group Earth Sea and Sky, Sea Life centres are urgently raising funds to build a turtle rescue centre on the Greek island of Zakynthos.

Zakynthos holds the largest number of Loggerhead turtle nests in the Mediterranean and has seen generations of Loggerheads return annually to breed and lay eggs.

The high concentration of gathering turtles results in casualties with turtles being injured in boat collisions, entanglement in fishing gear or swallowing fish hooks.

With many turtles needing emergency treatment, a turtle hospital on the island will be a lifesaver for injured Loggerheads.

Turtle Fest will run from May 28 to June 5. Visit sealife.co.uk for more information. Newspapers can be delivered to Weymouth Sea Life Park or posted to Newspaper Donation, Weymouth Sea Life Park, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX.