Sea bed sediment due to dredged from Falmouth Marina will be used to restore old china clay quarries across Cornwall.

The innovative scheme will save having to send the contaminated soil to landfill.

It has been organised by 4Recycling Ltd, part of the 4R Group, and has unlocked the £1.5 million redevelopment scheme for the marina.

Assessment of samples of the sediment revealed it contained low levels of metals and good soil properties making it an ideal material for the restoration work.

The Environment Agency authorised use of the material for restoration, unlocking the marina redevelopment scheme.

A total of 32,000 tonnes of material is expected to be dredged from the marina, increasing its size and operating capability.

Pete Bradshaw, Managing Director of Premier Marinas said; “We just knew there had to be a better solution than landfill - and anyway, landfill tax would have meant that the project was not viable.

“4Recycling has found a better solution, both environmentally and economically. The project has meant that we have in some small way contributed toward the restoration of the old China Clay sites.”