Balloon ban call to save turtles

The turtles mistake the balloons for jellyfish floating on the surface

A marine life centre is urging charities to help protect turtles by no longer staging balloon releases as a way of raising funds.

The Sea Life Centre in Blackpool claims that many creatures suffer painfully slow deaths from choking or starvation as a result of swallowing balloons.

The centre also says turtles have even been washed up dead on Blackpool beach.

According to marine life experts, the turtles mistake the balloons for jellyfish, which are their staple diet.

Blackpool Sea Life spokeswoman Clare Chadwick said: "We are desperately trying to raise awareness during the half-term break to the dangers of balloon releases.

"In 2001 a juvenile green turtle was washed up dead on Blackpool beach and the post-mortem revealed that its digestive tract was completely blocked by marine debris.

"This included a large fragment of blue latex balloon - the blockage clearly led to the turtle starving to death."