Falmouth business owners and residents have said they support the dredging of a deeper harbour channel to allow passage for bigger cruise ships and larger contracts for the docks.

Local MP Sarah Newton has expressed her support for the Packet's Pledge to Dredge Campaign, which is calling on Cornwall Council to give its full backing to dredging in Falmouth Harbour if it gets the go ahead from the government’s marine licensing body, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The Packet is still urging more people to sign the petition, which has currently collected more than 1,300 signatures: 179 on paper and more than 1,100 online

On Friday the newspaper visited Falmouth town centre to ask the people in the street what they thought of plans to dredge the harbour.

Sean White said he hadn't really been aware of all the facts for quite a while. He said: "There's an environmental point of view for why it's not going ahead.

"But then I hear that the red maerl could be planted somewhere else and I thought 'that's a good idea.'

"There are benefits to the economy that it would obviously deliver, they outweigh not doing it. Falmouth's port has historic significance to the town."

Frank Curothers said: "It will bring the ships in again. I think it's a load of rubbish about the marine life at the bottom. It's going to grow back again."

Joanna Coleman said: "I think they should dredge it, definitely.

"We could get more cruise ships in, and bigger ships in for the docks, because there isn't much work at the moment.

"Cruise ships would bring a lot of business to the town. I think the maerl will all grow back, and anything that's there that they dredge. They used to dredge it years ago."

Richard and Caroline Weldon, of Ragamuffins cafe in Church Street, said: "It would be wonderful if they would clear it. They used to do it and for some reason they have cut back.

"They should do because it may help with the cruise ships, I understand they are trying to expand the cruise ship welcoming facilities, so that might help attract a few bigger ships: make it easier for them to come in."

Ronnie Salter at Moor News is supporting the Pledge to Dredge campaign by keeping a copy of the petition for people to sign in his shop.

He said: "It's essential for the town's future really, not just from the point of view of the docks but for the cruise ships.

"If we could get those bigger boats back in it would really help improve the town."

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners will be holding a presentation day at The Poly today to allow the public to ask questions and find out more about plans to dredge the channel.

There will be an exhibition and drop-in session from 1pm to 5pm, and presentations from 5.45pm to 7pm including a question and answer session.

Spaces for the presentation are limited, and anyone interested is asked to book by emailing events@falmouthharbour.co.uk

To sign the Pledge to Dredge petition pop in to Moor News on the Moor or go to www.change.org/p/cornwall-council-support-for-the-falmouth-packet-s-pledge-to-dredge-campaign