FOOTAGE recording dozens of one of the UK's rarest and most threatened marine creatures, the fan shell or mussel, has been released.

Underwater video from the Inner Hebrides of the giant mollusc - which can grow up to a metre long - has been given to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) by Scottish Government marine scientists.

Prior to this discovery, only fourteen live specimens around the UK, and just three from Scotland, were reported to MCS, the UK lead partner for the fan shell Biodiversity Action Plan. Only two of the three Scottish sites have been photographically verified, one of which was a transplanted specimen that has since disappeared.

A new population of fan shells was discovered by Marine Scotland scientists during routine monitoring in the Small Isles.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Fanshells are Scotland's biggest shell, growing to about half a metre, and in this case were found at depths of around 175m. This discovery massively expands the known population of this amazing species. Previous estimates of the live population around the UK had been 14 - of which 3 were in Scotland.

"These are amazing creatures that can filter and improve the water in the area of sea where they live. We will be working with stakeholders to protect these important species. I believe that these fan shells, and the wider underwater environment will benefit from the Marine Bill which aims to deliver enhanced protection ensuring the marine environment will be safeguarded for our children, their children and generations beyond."

Calum Duncan, MCS Scottish Conservation Manager said: "Fan shells had previously been reported to MCS from the Small Isles, brought up as by-catch in fishing gear, and this footage provides evidence they are on the seabed in the vicinity. However, this population is an exciting find and appears to host fairly large individuals, suggesting that the dredge spoil area hasn't been affected by seabed disturbance, such as bottom-towed fishing gear and the dredge spoil itself, for a number of years.