TV presenter Chris Packham has become a patron of a local animal rescue centre.

The wildlife enthusiast, who is also a noted photographer and author, has accepted an invitation to be a patron of Margaret Green Animal Rescue.

It is the oldest and largest animal rescue organisation founded in Dorset with two thriving centres here and one across the border in Devon. Overall, the centres rescue and re-home in excess of 1,000 animals each year.

Richard Clapp, chief executive of Margaret Green Animal Rescue, said: “It is such good news for everyone involved that Chris Packham has kindly agreed to become a patron. He shares our deep passion for animal welfare, is great fun and famous too – what more could we ask for?

“Chris has a passionate concern for animal welfare, conservation and the environment. As he says on his website, he has travelled the world ‘in pursuit of all things that slime, sting and scratch but remain close to my heart’.”

Chris was born in Southampton in 1961 and as a young scientist he studied kestrels, shrews and badgers in his teens and undergraduate days at the zoology department of Southampton University.

After graduation and a cancelled PhD he began taking still photographs and trained as a wildlife film cameraman.

Over time the camerawork gave way to presenting. Chris began with the award-winning Really Wild Show in 1986 and has been working in television ever since.

Chris has had the good fortune to travel widely and he has explored many habitats from Antarctic Islands, rainforests, deserts, the Everest range and the deep oceans. He is a sucker for archaeology and likes to holiday amongst ruins!

For more details, see www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk or contact Donna on 01929 477070.