A ban on fishing in one of the Westcountry's finest marine sites is to be introduced to protect its threatened sea life.

About 10 per cent of Lyme Bay, from West Bay to Beer Head, will be permanently closed to scallop-dredging and bottom trawling from July, Defra announced on Thursday.

According to Defra, the measure will "safeguard the area's rich marine life and habitats".

Lyme Bay is home to world-renowned reefs as well as rare and endangered species such as pink sea fans, sunset cup corals and several rare sponges.

"After public consultation and a full assessment of the impacts, the Government has ordered that the area be closed from early July," Defra said in a statement.

Fishing using nets nearer the surface or static nets and lines will still be allowed, as will diving for scallops, scuba diving and sea angling.

The fishing ban, which will cover 60 square nautical miles of Lyme Bay, has been welcomed by conservation groups.

Paul Gompertz, Devon Wildlife Trust's director, said: "This is one small step for marine but one giant leap for marine-kind. It finally acknowledges that our seas need vital life-support systems like Lyme Bay reefs.

Paul Gompertz, Devon Wildlife Trust: "This is one small step for marine but one giant leap for marine-kind. It finally acknowledges that our seas need vital life-support systems like Lyme Bay reefs."

"It's taken 18 years, hundreds of thousands of fundraised pounds, the energy and dedication of many people - and a host of setbacks and heartache along the way. But it has all been worth it - to see a new day dawn for the future of marine conservation in this country.

"The Government is to be congratulated on a bold step. Now we need to see the exclusions enforced."

Simon Cripps, chief executive for Dorset Wildlife Trust, added: "This decision represents a landmark for both wildlife protection and sustainable fishing, showing that there is potential for conservation and fishing interests to work together in the future."

Unsurprisingly, Defra's announcement has angered local fisherman and fishing organisations.

Jim Portus, from the South West Fish Producer Organisation, said: "I'm devastated, it will mean a £3m annual loss for the local economy. It's not a happy day for inshore fishing."

Nick Prust, from the South West Inshore Fishing Association, added: "It's catastrophic for inshore fishing. We feel let down, disappointed and disgusted."

Both Devon Wildlife Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust have been campaigning for a 60sq mile exclusion zone around Lyme Bay reefs, since concern was highlighted, in the early 1990s, by divers who observed damage to some areas.

"Survey work has shown that scallop-dredging is damaging the reefs and that time is running out for their preservation," the Devon Wildlife Trust said in a statement.

Last year, Defra ran a public consultation to decide the future of Lyme Bay's vulnerable marine habitats and wildlife - nearly three-quarters of respondents responded in favour of a 60sq mile exclusion zone in Lyme Bay.

A joint campaign between Devon Wildlife Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust and The Wildlife Trusts also collected over 7,500 signatures through a postcard campaign and a further 3,000 people supported an online petition calling for protection of the full area of reefs from scallop-dredging.