Sir Sean Connery has thrown his support behind a campaign to save natural beauty spots from development in his adopted home of the Bahamas.

The James Bond legend, who filmed two 007 movies in the island paradise and now has a home there, has become a spokesman for Save The Bays, a drive to protect marine life and beaches around the country.

Connery is concerned about development and oil spills in the Clifton Bay area, close his house on New Providence Island, and urges fellow residents to back the campaign.

He says, "As a longtime resident of the Bahamas, a country whose beautiful waters and beaches have been featured in a number of my films, I am proud to be a supporting member of Save The Bays, and to urge all Bahamians, citizens and residents, to support our effort to defend Clifton Bay along with all the natural resources of this country."

Save the Bays director Fred Smith adds, "In the movies, you may get a second chance. In real life, we have to make this happen now, we have to save the bays for our children before it is too late... This is the fight of our generation and adding the unmistakable voice of one of the greatest actors and heroes of our age, Sir Sean Connery, to the effort demonstrates the breadth, depth and urgency of the cause."

Connery filmed Bond adventures You Only Live Twice and Thunderball in the Bahamas, while several other 007 movies have been shot there.