AN 'alien' creature which experts fear could 'smother' marine life in the Clyde to death could cost millions of pounds to remove, a local marine biologist fears.

Fairlie man David Nairn believes it a serious issue which could have a drastic effect on the local marine environment.

In 2012, we reported how the carpet sea squirt had been first discovered at Largs Marina. It was the first time the spongy species had been sighted in Scotland.

Marine experts warn the creature could decimate native shellfish stocks by suffocating them.

The sea squirt invader spreads rapidly by squirting tiny, tadpole-like larvae. Originally from Japan, it has caused major economic and environmental problems in Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and on the continent.

It is believed to have made it to Scottish waters after attaching itself to the hulls of visiting boats.

David, who is a marine expert, claims that the Hunterston jetty is now full of the dangerous species.

He said: "We have two drill ships which are just gathering this stuff.

"There is going to be need to be a big eradication programme over the next few years, requiring teams of divers.

"It was an operation costed at million pounds in 2012 - and it is now going to cost in the region of £10-15m.

"If Peel Ports had been following the biodiversity situation they should never have brought these ships to the Clyde in the first place.

"It is an environmental disaster in slow motion. The pier is infested with this stuff - part of the measures and management is that a boat shouldn't be tied up against that pier and left.

"If anything is left sitting there for a few years it will be riddled with this stuff - and it can't just be scraped off. This invasive species has been allowed to prosper.

Mr Nairn has alerted the Firth of Clyde Planning Partnership to the issue, as well as COAST who are based on the Isle of Arran.

David added: "It is a significant threat to conservation status. People should be taking this matter seriously."