One of the UK’s most precious underwater habitats – Dorset’s seagrass meadows – is recovering thanks to “eco moorings” designed to prevent the seabed being ripped up, a study has revealed.

Scars caused by traditional anchors in some areas of seagrass in Studland Bay have almost entirely vanished, which is boosting the number of seahorses that thrive in the submerged meadows.

The Studland Bay Marine Partnership, which includes a wide range of organisations including conservationists and boating enthusiasts, hopes the findings could help protect and restore seagrass in other busy marine environments around the UK.