Divers are scouring the seabed off Peacehaven for signs of a tiny worm whose existence could affect plans for a £200 million sewage treatment works.

Over many years the creatures, known as ross worms, can help create natural reefs, which provide a home for other marine creatures such as crabs.

They do this by gradually building up the sand grain tubes in which they live.

They commonly occur around the coastline in low numbers as a thin crust on gravel or rocky seabeds.

In areas where conditions are favourable large numbers can build reefs up to 60cm off the seabed.

Marine ecologists from Emu Ltd are searching for the worms at Friars Bay, off Peacehaven, as part of a survey by Southern Water.

The water firm is preparing to lodge plans for a new £200 million treatment works at Lower Hoddern Farm, Peacehaven.

But before the application can be submitted various environmental and archaeological surveys must be completed.

The results will show the company if the worm is building reefs in this area so that a long sea outfall pipe, which will release the treated sewage out to sea, can be tunnelled beneath the seabed to avoid the most environmentally-sensitive locations.

Tuesday March 30, 2004