MORE help is needed to rescue sea birds washed onto Kent's beaches covered in oil, according to volunteers.

A small team scours the beaches for the birds have been finding birds almost every day this year.

One of the volunteers, Mark Styles, of Sydney Road, Walmer, near Deal, has picked up 10 birds so far this year, including a guillemot and razorbill found on Kingsdown beach, and found a further five covered in oil that he could not reach.

The Sandwich Bird Observatory member said: "There are a lot of birds being washed ashore covered in oil at the moment. We could really do with more help from people looking for the birds."

There are three types of oil which affect the sea birds: crude oil, fuel oil and grease from drums. Part of the blame lies with ships washing out their tanks in the Channel, he said.

Rescued birds are taken to volunteers in Dover and are eventually taken to Poole Harbour where they are released once they can dive down to 50 feet.

To get help with a bird found covered in oil, call Mark Styles on 01304 375495, Richard Tunnicliff on 07713055911, or David Smith on 01304 362015.

Birds can also be taken to Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, or to a veterinary surgeon.