TV nature star, Simon King, has urged people in Somerset to take the lead in saving the country’s wildlife.

In a rallying call to nature lovers in Taunton, Mr King said he firmly believed a healthy natural environment was at the heart of the nation’s prosperity and wellbeing.

The star of hit TV shows such as Autumnwatch and Big Cat Diary, was speaking at a special 50th anniversary celebration held by Somerset Wildlife Trust at Queen’s College in Taunton.

Nearly 500 people attended the event which ended a year long series of programmes across the county.

Mr King called on people to join Somerset Wildlife Trust and to back campaigns such as The Act for Nature, which aims to bring about the recovery of nature in a generation. 

He said: “As patron of Somerset Wildlife Trust and president of the Wildlife Trust’s nationally, I am proud to be part of a movement that represents the aspirations of more than 800,000 people.”

The Trust’s project manager, Nick Tomlinson, also spoke about the trust’s new urban conservation initiative, Routes to the River Tone, in Taunton.

He added: “We want to challenge the perception that towns are barren places, where little wildlife can be found. In Taunton nothing could be further from the truth.

"We are blessed with a rich tapestry of interwoven green spaces and waterways, teeming with an amazing variety of wildlife.”

To become a member of Somerset Wildlife Trust or to back the Act for Nature campaign click here.