​The National Marine Centre will be a major new development for conservation charity

Conservation and education charity the Scottish Seabird Centre is calling on people to contribute to a public survey as it plans an exciting expansion.

This is an opportunity for residents, supporters, members, volunteers and even those who have never visited the North Berwick centre before to contribute to the public consultation process and provide ideas, recommendations and suggestions to create a National Marine Centre for Scotland.

The Scottish Seabird Centre opened in May 2000 and is established as a significant tourist destination and local community resource with 270,000 visitors annually and a membership base of 7,000.

The charity says it has listened to feedback and recommendations from visitors, staff, volunteers and members and now plans to achieve more of its charitable objectives by expanding and diversifying its education and conservation programmes, developing new activities and events, and enhancing the exhibition space.

The aim of the National Marine Centre is to help people discover more about our amazing marine environment and wildlife

The ‘National Marine Centre’ is the working title for this innovative project.

Grace Martin, project director for the National Marine Centre, said: “The feedback and discussions we have had to-date with key stakeholders and the local community have been incredibly useful and we are now keen to engage with the wider public.

“The aim of the National Marine Centre is to help people discover more about our amazing marine environment and wildlife - life above and below the waves – including seabirds. It’s essential for us to fully gauge the public’s current awareness, understanding and desire to learn about this important subject matter.

“The survey is available on our website and we would really appreciate people sparing 10 minutes to share their views. The public’s feedback is vitally important as the plans are developed over the next few years. Thank you to everyone who has supported the project so far and to those who will contribute as we move forward.”