A PROJECT set up by Herefordshire Nature Trust to help stem the UK's decline in key conservation skills will be shown on the BBC this weekend.

John Craven, presenter of Countryfile, visited the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) to see first hand the Learning Environments in Marine, Urban and Rural Areas (LEMUR) project that has provided placements for people who want to have a career in wildlife conservation.

"The concerns are about whether there will be a next generation of competent professional field naturalists and, if so, will they be up to the challenge of providing accurate species identification and ecological understanding that is necessary for implementing biodiversity planning in the future?" asked Phil Burton, LEMUR project manager.

"Under current predictions, it is expected that there will be a seriously depleted number of skilled naturalists that are able to provide the level and quality data required to inform biodiversity planning.

"This may have serious implications for our ability to monitor species dynamics as a result of climate change."

During Sunday's programme, viewers will see Mr Craven discovering one his favourite plants, Bird's Foot Trefoil, as well as a range of new plants that were previously unknown to him.

Meanwhile, fellow presenter Anita Rani will be seen making a new organic skincare balm at a farm near Eardisley.

Paul and Carol Richards, who own Herbfarmacy, also showed Ms Rani how to use fresh and dried herbs in organic skincare products by infusing them in oil and making herbal extracts in water.

The balm that she helped produce was made using organic Herefordshire hops and meadowsweet and is aimed to soothe headaches and calm the mind.

The programme will be aired on BBC1 at 8pm.