We do know they were once really prevalent here and a big part of the culture. We want to bring some of that love of the native oyster back to the North East.

Ashleigh Tinlin-Mackenzie, Wild Oysters Project Officer
Oyster numbers in UK waters have declined by 95% since the 1800s and they are virtually extinct on the North East coast. The Wild Oysters Project aims to restore numbers.

1300 have been installed in nurseries in Sunderland and Blyth marinas. The shellfish are placed in crates and lowered below the pontoons. These will attract other marine life and create rich habitats.

The oysters should begin reproducing in the coming months and will release millions of larvae. It's hoped these will drift out to sea and settle on rocks and shells off the coast.

Ashleigh Tinlin-Mackenzie says three billion oysters will ultimately be released into North East waters:

"Over the course of the project three billion oysters will be released just in the North East. The aim is that these oysters will travel off into coastal waters and start to create oyster reefs", Ashleigh says.

The project has been launched by the Zoological Society of London, the Blue Marine Foundation and trade association British Marine and funded by a £1.2 million grant from the People's Postcode Lottery.

In the North East, the Environment Agency and Groundwork North East have installed the oyster nurseries and are inviting school groups to visit the sites to learn about marine ecology.

Oysters placed in North East harbours to boost water quality and filter pollutants | Tyne Tees | ITV News