THE Review's wildlife and conservation writer Sarah Killingback has been appointed as the Forest's first full-time conservation officer.

Sarah, 25, started work in the six-month post this month. It follows ground-breaking work she has been undertaking for the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

The new opening was created thanks to joint funding from the Countryside Agency and Gloucestershire Environmental Trust Company, set up to distribute contributions from Cory Environmental made under the landfill tax credit scheme.

Sarah is no stranger to conservation work in this area and last year she led an awareness-raising campaign which encouraged local people to become more involved with Forest wildlife and reserves.

"I am really thrilled with the new job," she said. "We've discovered so much new interest and enthusiasm for wildlife conservation in the Forest of Dean.

"It's going to be a real pleasure to concentrate exclusively on the district, but there's a lot of work to be done.

"Because the Dean is bounded by rivers on both sides, the mix of wildlife is completely different to the rest of Gloucestershire and needs a lot of specialist attention to maintain and protect it.

"I'll be working hard to encourage even more local community involvement in our conservation work to help ensure the amazing nature reserves in the area survive for future generations."

Sarah has already drawn up a volunteer task programme for January-March which is available from libraries, tourist information centres and retail outlets or from the Trust on 01452 383333.