Velvet swimming crabs, ballan wrasse, tompot blenny, jewel anemones, sea horses and mermaid’s purse are some of the marine wildlife found on and off local beaches featured on a new children’s educational colouring sheet produced by South Hams beach café and shop operator, the Venus Company with the help of local wildlife specialists.



At Blackpool Sands, excited youngsters unveil the three different colouring sheets created by Venus with the guidance of Devon Wildlife Trust and the Salcombe- Kingsbridge Estuary Environmental Management Partnership to inform young beachgoers to Blackpool Sands, Bigbury on Sea and East Portlemouth of the wonderful creatures that inhabit the rock pools, shallow waters and shorelines at each beach.



“Loving the beach” is our motto” explained Michael Smith, managing director of the Venus Company. “We take care to ensure we leave the beach environment unharmed and this is a fun way to help children do the same and learn about the beaches that they enjoy visiting and the marine creatures that inhabit the shores”.



Tracy Ebbrell of the Devon Wildlife Trust said, “We are very pleased to be working with Venus, a valuable corporate supporter and advising them of the amazing species at Blackpool Sands. It’s a really great way to introduce the seashore code to children and to seek their help in caring for the beach environment”.



A different colouring sheet version of local marine wildlife designed by local artist Fiona Woolmer comes free with crayons at each Venus Cafe with the new Dolphin Box Meal that offers an organic food choice for children on the menu as well as adults.