Boscombe's Urban Beach hotel has added to its eco-credentials after being recognised by the Marine Stewardship Council sustainability watchdog.

Bournemouth's first boutique hotel, Urban Beach now joins Raymond Blanc's two-Michelin-starred Le Manoir au Quat' Saisons among the few British restaurants to win the coveted MSC accreditation.

The London-based organisation's distinctive blue-and-white seafood eco-label is awarded to restaurants which support the marine environment by serving sustainably-caught fish and shellfish.

Big-name shops and suppliers in the MSC hall of fishy fame include the likes of Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, and HRH the Prince of Wales' Duchy Originals.

"Ever since we opened four years ago, we have taken our environmental and social responsibilities very seriously indeed," says owner Mark Cribb. "To cut down on food-miles, we try to source local food and drink, we use as much FairTrade produce as we can, and we re-use and re-cycle wherever possible.

"The MSC accreditation is further recognition of our efforts to do our very best for our customers and for our planet."

Both Urban Beach and sister beachfront restaurant Urban Reef - also owned by Cribb - are members of the Sustainable Restaurants Association (SRA), which was founded in March this year to provide restaurants with help and advice on sustainability issues.

As well as awarding restaurants "sustainability ratings", the SRA also campaigns on a number of issues, including marine sustainability and declining fish stocks.