The South West coastline has to be valued as a vital international resource, according to a new prospectus.

The new document, from the South West Coastal Issues Group, aims to showcase the region's historic coast and beaches.

The South West has more than 700 miles of coastline. It is considered to be an important contributor to the region's economic prosperity.

The prospectus sets out a vision for the South West and looks at issues such as climate change, pollution, tourism, regeneration and coastal protection.

The Jurassic Coast is renowned for its fossils

The coastline is also a landscape of national and international importance.

It attracts both inward migration and investment.

Much of it is defined as a Heritage Coast, which adds value to the region's economy in terms of recreation and overall economic prosperity.

There is also international interest - the Dorset and east Devon stretch was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2001 for its Jurassic geology.

The "Jurassic Coast", as it has been dubbed, is considered to be the only place in the world displaying unbroken evidence of 180 million years of evolution.

Hundreds of fossils have been found in the area.

The new prospectus sets out a vision for the South West to maintain a dynamic and thriving, as well as a beautiful, coastline.

Strategic framework

It has been endorsed by eight key regional bodies.

The organisations include: the Countryside Agency, English Heritage, English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Government Office for the South West.

The South West Regional Assembly, South West Tourism and the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) are also involved.

In the prospectus, RDA chairman Sir Michael Lickiss says it provides a strategic framework to ensure the coast is maintained and enjoyed.