A campaign to save rare plants growing on shingle beaches in West Sussex has been launched.

Wildlife experts say the plants are under threat from damage by trampling, beach fires and dog fouling.

They grow on beaches at Shoreham and in the Pagham and Aldwick areas of Bognor.

The species in danger include sea kale and yellow-horned poppy, which have adapted themselves to survive in the harshest coastal conditions.

The campaign, by the West Sussex Vegetated Shingle Project, includes a web site, leaflets, posters and a CD-Rom.

Project officer Julie Hatcher, who has worked on environmental projects in the Indian Ocean, said: "In West Sussex we have a rare and beautiful wildlife habitat sitting right on our doorstep which we should be proud of and not take for granted.

"The campaign is designed to raise awareness of what we stand to lose if we don't put a halt to damaging beach activities."

Shingle habitats are also vitally important to many nesting birds, which survive by feeding on insects attracted to the plants.