A Lanarkshire MP was left star-struck when TV and film star Joanna Lumley joined her to pledge support in a campaign to protect sea mammals from harm.
The Absolutely Fabulous actress met East Kilbride MP Dr Lisa Cameron at Number 10 Downing Street last week to thank Prime Minister Boris Johnson for agreeing alternatives on the disposal of unexploded sea ordinance.
Dr Cameron has been championing the campaign in Parliament and welcomed Joanna's backing earlier this year when she attended an online meeting with MPs, where cross party members also pledged their support.
She says the global star has been "entirely inspirational" in her support.
The move by the UK Government means underwater bomb disposals will now be carried out quietly to protect creatures such as dolphins and whales which could be injured or killed by the sound of the blasts.
The decision to agree alternative disposal methods is being described as an extremely significant moment which Joanna has been instrumental in alongside Dr Cameron and activist group, Stop Sea Blast Campaigners.
Estimates suggest there are more than 100,000 tonnes of unexploded ordinance scattered in waters around the UK as a legacy of prior conflict.
Due to the expansion of wind farms, the campaign calls for the need of these to be removed, stating that the current methods involving detonation are extremely dangerous for marine wildlife and the environment.
In the week following COP26, Secretary of State George Eustice met with Stop Sea Blast Campaigners and MPs to agree that new environmentally friendly methods will now be used as the preferred option in the UK.
Campaigners joined Dr Cameron and Joanna at Number 10 last week.
She told Lanarkshire Live : “I am delighted that the campaign to Stop Sea Blasts has been such a success.
"We must do all possible to turn our words into affirmative action when it comes to protecting our environment and it is great news that the Prime Minister has agreed to implement alternatives to exploding ordinance, to sustain marine mammals and sea-life.
"It has been such a privilege to work with Joanna Lumley on this campaign, she has been entirely inspirational”.
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