CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect our maritime heritage are seeing double this year.

The hulks at Purton will grace the nation’s TV on the BBC’s flagship geographical programme Coast, to be shown Tuesday, 28 July on BBC2, and then again on its investigative reporting series Inside Out, to be screened in September.

September’s programme, hosted by the eminent Maritime Archaeologist and veteran presenter Professor Mark Horton, seeks to unravel the complex and long running legal battle to have this unique collection of remains protected for the nation Professor Horton has openly criticised what he sees as a lack of legal powers to protect the wrecks.

"It does seem extraordinary that this nationally important collection of over 80 ships and barges should simply be allowed to vandalised at will, and there is nothing that can be done at present to stop it," he commented.

Friends founder Paul Barnett added: "We remain indebted to the BBC and Professor Horton for highlighting the case and urge all to contact their MP in support".

David Drew, MP for Stroud, stated: "I am pleased that under the Marine Bill we now have some protection for marine shoreline artefacts – but we will have to see how this works in practice.

"I have been talking to both English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund on how we can use the legislation to fully protect the Purton Hulks and to find some funding to get this really exciting project the support it now needs."

For further details on how to join the Friends of Purton or pledge your support visit www.friendsofpurton.org.uk