Ben Mitchell

Ben Mitchell is the south coast reporter at PA Media covering news in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. He is also a contributor to PA Media's travel features.

Scientists have made an urgent call for research to establish the risks to health and the environment from particles produced by tyres which are the ‘leading contributor to microplastics’ (Ben Birchall/PA)

Urgent call for research into microplastic pollution from car tyres

A rhino as seen from a drone (Marwell Wildlife and Southampton University/PA)

Drones to be used by zoo charity to monitor endangered species in the wild

Children whose mothers took extra vitamin D during pregnancy continue to have stronger bones at the age of seven, according to new research (Danny Lawson/PA)

Vitamin D supplements in pregnancy shown to improve bone density in childhood

<p>Man was prevented from leaving by the arrival of a 20ft-long crocodile that made its presence felt every time he attempted to to enter the water</p>

Scientists reveal what stopped crocodiles from evolving to deep divers