EUROPEAN summit talks about the environment hosted in Morecambe this week were hailed as a success. Angela Eagle, Under Secretary of State for the Environment, led a meeting of 19 European dignitaries to discuss marine and coastal nature conservation. Morecambe was specially chosen for the talks because it embodies the complex issues requiring better environment management.

A set of guidelines were drawn up which will be distributed local, national and international organisations. Morecambe's MP Geraldine Smith said: "It's very good news for Morecambe to have an international conference which includes a Euro commissioner and government minister. Some of the foreign delegates who have never visited Morecambe before were very impressed with it." The seminar was organised by the Institute of European Environmental Policy which is at the forefront of developing a more strategic approach to the management of marine sites under a £4 million project being part-funded by the EC.

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