A lobster called Lilibet is making a splash by starring in a children’s book about the Brightlingsea-based Thames Estuary Lobster Hatchery.

Author Ruth Loten and illustrator Lucy Weaver, who are both from Brightlingsea, have created Lilibet the Lobster help raise funds for the hatchery and to highlight its innovative work.

The hatchery is run by fisherman Gary Humm and his wife, Marie, who worked in the education sector for 15 years. Their aim is to bring back the once-thriving lobster population to the Thames Estuary and regenerate the historic oyster beds in the River Colne. They also have a mission to educate people about marine life and conservation.

The book tells the story of Lilibet, one of the lobsters at the Hatchery, who was named after the late Queen. As she grows Lilibet achieves her ambition to be the star amongst the lobsters who meet children on school visits to the Hatchery. She and Larry the lobster also become parents to some baby lobsters.

Gary said: “We are delighted with the book, which will help children to find out more about these amazing creatures. 

Ruth, who has written the book under the pen name Henrietta Edwards said: “We are very lucky to have the hatchery here in Brightlingsea. It is a great asset to the town and is one of just a few initiatives of its kind in the country.

“The book about Lilibet will raise some much needed funds and will help children learn about the life cycle of lobsters, giving them information in a fun way.”

Publication of the book coincided with the hatchery’s release of 2,500 young lobsters around a turbine on the Gunfleet Sands wind farm off Clacton (pictured left). The turbine is surrounded by stabilising rocks, whch create ideal hiding places for the crustaceans.

Lilibet the Lobster is priced at £6 and is available from the Thames Estuary Lobster Hatchery on the Shipyard Estate in Brightlingsea.

For more details about the Hatchery visit https://lobsterhatchery.com