A LEADING conservationist is calling for assurances over live ammunition shipments from an area popular with birdwatchers.

The explosives are being loaded aboard vessels close to an RSPB reserve at a jetty at Cliffe. near Rochester.

George Crozer, one of the leading campaigners in the No Airport at Cliffe Campaign, said he needs assurances from government departments and the shipping company concerned that it is safe to send bird watchers to the area.

The jetty, which is at the end of Salt Lane, is said to be used regularly by an explosives firm to transport live cluster bombs to destinations across the world, where they are de-activated.

Mr Crozer, an RSPB member, has been encouraging people to visit the RSPB's Cliffe Pools Reserve in Cliffe, which is within metres of the jetty.

He said: "I wish I knew about the shipments before we started to encourage people to walk in the area. We need assurances the explosives are being kept safe and security is tight and that it's OK to use the reserve when the shipments are taking place.

"There is apparently an exclusion zone around the area when this is happening but no one ever tells us when the shipments are going out."