THOSE of us who live in Herefordshire probably don't need reminding of the beauty of the Wye Valley.

But for those further afield, its splendour is set to be championed by a popular survival expert in a forthcoming TV series.

Ray Mears has been filming the documentary Wild River which will bring the Wye Valley into millions of homes.

Viewers will see the 51-year-old journey down a 134-mile stretch of the famous river.

Speaking to a national newspaper about why he chose the area to film, he said it is the perfect river to follow from source to sea.

"The feeling that we’d spend time following one ribbon of life from beginning to end was really neat. It reminded me of how astonishing bits of Britain are," he told the Daily Express.

The journey begins in Plynlimon, at the river's source, before passing through Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.

"Like lots of rivers, it has many moods," said Mears.

"It starts as a whisper in the hills of Wales, before it picks up speed and size. Further down there’s a real party on the river.

"The wildlife is staggering, which is to be expected on a river. We see bats, kingfishers and peregrine falcons.

"We get some extraordinary shots of dragonflies, which have incredible eyesight, and their speed and change of pace are amazing.

"They are insects we take for granted, but if you spend time watching them, they are brilliant."

Viewers will see the presenter stop off in Hereford to learn about the Wye's association with the city's past, as well as watching him do what he is famous for - carrying out bushcraft techniques.

ITV say a broadcast date has yet to be set.