NORA Batty's stockings may have inspired Compo to many of his escapades in TV's Last of the Summer Wine - but none will have been quite as unusual as something dreamed-up by marine expert Paul Bullimoor.

The Scarborough Sea Life Centre is proud of its newest guests - three rescued sea turtles which moved into the visitor attraction recently.

However, with them and their huge appetites came a new problem - just how to cope with toilet habits which match their size.

Not even a metre-wide filter sucking 50,000 gallons of water out of the tank every two hours could cope with the quantities involved, so it was obvious drastic action was required.

Carbon granules in the filter system helped keep the water clear at first, but changing them every six weeks looked like it was going to be a real headache - until Paul was inspired by Nora's stockings while watching an episode of the comedy series.

A female colleague was dispatched the next day with cash to buy four pairs of micro-mesh fishnet tights - and 50 kilos of granules were crammed into them.

"They keep the granules from clogging the sand and they still do the job of cleaning the water perfectly,'' said Paul.

As a result, the Sea Life Centre is now after a cheaper supply, urging customers to donate any old micro-mesh tights.

They can either be left at reception or posted to The Scarborough Sea Life Centre, Scalby Mills, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 6RP.