Naturalist David Bellamy has spoken of his delight at coming to Shropshire for this weekend’s West Mid Show in Shrewsbury.

Mr Bellamy, who is president of the show this year, says he will be sampling local produce and flying the flag for sustainable living during his visit.

And he says his visit will stir fond memories of his time as an undergraduate studying Shropshire’s meres, mosses and wetlands.

“I like good food and I’m all for eating British produce so I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I hope to try all your cheeses and other local produce.”

Mr Bellamy added that having the chance to officiate in the same year as celebrations marking 200 years since Charles Darwin’s birth would make his time in the county even more special.

He said: “I’m coming down for the show for two days and have been given the honour of officiating.

“I know Shropshire extremely well and did much of my undergraduate training in the county and it’s the place where Charles Darwin came from.

“The credit crunch has really made people realise what a wonderful world – and county of Shropshire – we live in and how we can all have a bright, healthy future if we look after it properly.”

The West Mid Show takes place tomorrow and Sunday at the agricultural showground in Berwick Road from 9am each day.