A NORTH-EAST wildlife reserve is taking part in an annual celebration to help people get closer to wildlife.

Teesmouth Nature Reserve will mark the Low Tide Festival on Saturday with an event celebrating the diversity of life in the inter-tidal zone.

A guided seal watch at the Teesmouth Field Centre will give visitors the chance to view the tidal flats at Seal Sands from the excellent vantage point of the British Energy hide.

English Nature site manager Mike Leakey will be on hand to describe the scene and answer questions.

"Although seals are the obvious prime attraction at low tide, there is always much more to look at," he said.

"May is a busy month for shorebirds migrating north to the Arctic breeding grounds, and fuelling up for the journey on the abundant food supplies found within the mudflats."

Advance booking for the seal watch is recommended. To reserve a place, call (01429) 853325