HILBRE Island has again been left off the Government's conservation zone list after ministers ruled it isn't special enough to be included.

Pressed by Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood, minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustice said: "The simple truth was that the features that people said were there were not there sufficiently for us to designate those areas."

His comments came as the latest list of Marine Conservation Zones was announced - and Hilbre has once again been omitted.

Ms Greenwood said: "The Dee Estuary is a place of international importance for bird life.

"A walk out to the island affords views of seals and is much loved by locals and visitors from right across the North West.

"Many children on Merseyside get their first experience of the natural world by visiting Hilbre Island.

"It really is important that this beautiful place is preserved.

"We must protect the natural environment of the Dee Estuary.

"It is greatly valued and a real asset to the local community."

In 2011 in the initial round of designations Hilbre Island group was one of 127 proposed new conservation zones, which are given special protection.

The list was reduced to just 31 the following and year Hilbre was still included. But in November of 2013, the list was shortened yet further to 29 and Hilbre had been dropped.

This time around, it didn't even make the shortlist.

Ms Greenwood pointed out that the last Labour Government's Marine & Coastal Access Act provided a network of Marine Conservation Zones to be set up which would protect nationally important wildlife.