THE managers of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have issued an appeal for volunteers to support its Wildlife Watch Group.

The Nidderdale conservation area, which includes Jervaulx and Masham, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal and villages such as Kirkby Malzeard, Grewelthorpe and Grantley, is seeking leaders for the group, which meets monthly on a Saturday morning and is for children aged 5 to 11 years.

Children are supervised by their parents at all times, so the leaders focus on organising and delivering sessions to inspire children and their parents to explore nature and get stuck into practical activities like pond dipping and den building.

A Wildlife Watch Group spokesman said leaders of the session got satisfaction out of providing children with formative experiences that could give a life-long passion for nature.

She added: "You don’t need to be a wildlife expert - the most important thing is you have a love of the countryside and enjoy working with children.

Full training, equipment and support will be provided by the AONB."

A short meeting about the volunteering for the group will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 7pm, at the AONB office, King Street, Pateley Bridge.

For details, call 01423-712950 or sarah.kettlewell@harrogate.gov.uk