TV presenter Kate Humble is to be patron of a group of Youth Rangers who will be trained as experts in the past and present treasures of the Wye Valley.

Managed by the Wye Valley AONB Partnership, the project will recruit 15 young people aged 14-16 years.

Kate says: "Every child should have the opportunity to get out and spend time in the countryside. The AONB's Youth Ranger scheme not only offers them the chance to do that, but also to learn new skills with which to discover some of the most beautiful and fascinating parts of the landscape on our doorstep." 

Among tasks the rangers will be undertaking will be surveys of the area's rich wildlife and habitats, exploration of land management techniques, the navigation of the Wye and the development of tourism. They will also acquire skills including stonewalling, hedge laying and woodcraft.

Wye Valley AONB project leader Sarah Sawyer said she was thrilled with the new project.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the landscape in a meaningful way and we do appreciate Kate taking time out of her hectic schedule to support this project," she said.