Brighton's Sea Life centre has called on others around the world to help save dolphins.

As part of the Merlin group, the aquarium has joined in with the company’s campaign to condemn the massacre of dolphins in Japan.

Merlin has created the Sea Life Marine Conservation Trust and has called on other aquariums to withdraw any association with the dolphin drive fishery.

The curator at the Sea Life centre, Carey Duckhouse, said: “Staff here at Brighton Sea Life centre and across the estate are dedicated to doing what they can to help the marine world.

“People here still remember the mission to return former Brighton dolphins Missile and Silver to the Caribbean, so the campaign is also something very close to our heart.”

It comes as Whalefest, the annual festival in Brighton, rounded on SeaWorld for not responding to its invite to discuss the issue of killer whales in captivity.

The invitation to champion SeaWorld’s record on the captivity, treatment, breeding and training of orca was sent on January 13, but no reply has been received according to co-founder Ian Rowlands.

He said: “We’re disappointed with the lack of any response from an organisation that, until recently, would grasp any opportunity to promote itself.”

WhaleFest will be held in Brighton on March 15 and 16.