READERS of the Kentish Express newspaper and viewers of Kent Online are being asked to take part in a pioneering research project centred around Dave the Dolphin.

Dave has been swimming close to the shore at Sandgate, between Folkestone and Hythe, for more than a year and has become something of a celebrity.

Now a dolphin expert from the South of France, Dr Monika Wilke, is collecting information which she hopes can then be used to help protect the animals worldwide.

Local people are being asked to complete a questionnaire about Dave and the results will also be used by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue to formulate a management plan to ensure the dolphin’s wellbeing if he remains in the area.

There are increasing concerns about Dave's safety as people are getting close to him in boats and trying to swim with him.

It is feared he could be injured by a propeller and that becoming used to human contact is not good for the wild animal.

Jason Carter, of BDMLR, said: "This approach to understanding a solitary dolphin’s affect on the local community has never been attempted anywhere else in the world. Sandgate and Dave are being used in pioneering research in this respect.

"The information gained from this questionnaire will be analysed by myself and Monika and will assist in other solitary dolphin situations worldwide."

To assist with the project, the Kentish Express is publishing the questionnaire for people to complete.

• Download the questionaire(542kb)