DORSET Wildlife Trust has an exciting opportunity for young people to get underwater to help marine wildlife.

Volunteers are being recruited to join ‘The K Team’ to regularly survey Kimmeridge Bay for new and known marine species, helping to gain vital information about our changing seas.

People aged between 13 and 25 are being offered the chance to gain an official PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Discover Snorkelling/Skin Diver qualification to improve skills and confidence underwater.

Once qualified, the volunteers will meet on Wednesday evenings during the summer to carry out surveys along the Kimmeridge Snorkel Trail.

Marc Smith, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s marine warden and K Team co-ordinator, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get in the water and get involved with marine conservation. The volunteers will be trained to carry out underwater surveys and the data collected will help us better understand our seas. Kimmeridge Bay is one of the best places in the UK to snorkel and the amount of life that can be seen there is breathtaking. People are often surprised at how rich and colourful our local marine life is”.

Some of the things the lucky volunteers are likely to see are iridescent bright blue magic seaweed, huge spider crabs, large orange and electric blue wrasse and almost luminous green snakelocks anemones, tinged with bright purple tips.

The snorkel training course is on Friday, June 3, at Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre, Wimborne, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Volunteers interested in joining the snorkel team must complete the course. The cost for each person is £45, to include use of equipment on the day.

There are a limited number of spaces available so they will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

For more information, contact Marc on 01929 481044 or to find out more about opportunities for young people volunteering, go to www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/volunteering