WHITE-beaked dolphins, squat lobster and ocean quahog are among the wildlife off the coast of the North-East and North Yorkshire to have been given improved protection with the Government's announcement of new marine conservation zones (MCZ).

Some 23 more of the zones around Britain, including four in the region, will have their own set of restrictions and management measures, depending on habitat and wildlife features.

Conservation groups, including the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, described the move to protect areas such as Runswick Bay, north of Whitby, the Farne Islands and north of Whitley Bay as "historic", following a lengthy campaign to shield areas they feared were being destroyed by activities such as dredging and trawling.

The zones, which add to 27 areas designated in 2013, have created an 8,000sq mile area of "blue belt" around the country, but will allow many activities to continue within them.

Marine environment minister George Eustice said: “It’s vital we protect our marine environment to ensure our seas remain healthy, our fishing industry remains prosperous and future generations can enjoy our beautiful beaches, coastline and waters.”

The three inshore and offshore Northumberland zones feature a mosaic of different habitats and one of the deepest patches of the North Sea, dropping to 100 metres at points.

They provide homes for mammals including harbour porpoise, seals, white-beaked dolphins and some species of whales, birds including puffins, bivalves such as clams, cockles and ocean quahog - a species of clam - and plants such as the rare Arctic cushion star.

The move will see Runswick Bay, which boasts a highly productive seabed including sponges, sea squirts, sea urchins and starfish, given protection for its spawning and nursery grounds for many fish, such as herring, sprat, cod, whiting and plaice.

Conservationists say the decision will also protect harbour porpoises and foraging seabirds, such as kittiwakes.

The Government is set to consult on creating areas of conservation to further protect harbour porpoise and feeding and bathing areas used by birds, such as puffins on the Northumberland coast.

A Yorkshire Wildlife Trust spokeswoman said: “Whilst many view the North Sea as a bleak, cold and lifeless the seafloor is in fact a rich tapestry of wonderful marine habitats from kelp forests and sandy plains to chalk reefs and deep rocky gullies.

"This will be the start of turning our over-exploited and currently under-protected waters back into a healthy and sustainable environment.”

Leading marine conservation expert Professor Callum Roberts, of the University of York, said the new zones should be welcomed, remained "paper parks" as they were unmanaged.

He said: "They will be worse than useless, giving the illusion of protection where none is present.”