DIVERS and archaeologists from across the South have welcomed the news that anyone handing in items found in or near the sea will have immunity from prosecution.

As reported in the Daily Echo yesterday, the Southampton-based Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has agreed to waive prosecutions for three months in an attempt to coax local people into handing over goods which they have found but failed to report - which is an offence.

They believe hundreds of local people, including fishermen and divers, may be hoarding historic items - worried about not reporting them in the first place.

Trevor Maynard, a diving instructor at Andark Diving in Swanwick, said: "We are definitely giving this our support. If it raises awareness about removing objects from the seabed then it's achieved its aim. But I don't think the MCA will be inundated with artefacts.

"Even slightly moving an object, while on the seabed, can damage it.

"But it is certainly not a licence to spend the next three months pillaging every wreck in the Southampton area."

Amanda Williamson, of Portsmouth's Nautical Archaeological Society, said: "There are so many people out there who just don't know they must report any finds on the beach or in the water. Maybe not much will be handed in, but the main point is to raise public awareness of the law. I think this will work."

There are at least 500 items classed as wreckage in the waters surrounding Southampton and Portsmouth. Many are ship remains. There are potentially hundreds more waiting to be discovered.

Roselyn Skeffington, of the MCA, said: "We have done this so that people can come forward with any items they have found either fishing or walking along the beach or diving.

"It could be important to our heritage."