The Jurassic Coast Trust welcomed environmental conservationist, author and television presenter Chris Packham, to officially launch their 5th publication Wildlife of the Jurassic Coast at Lulworth Castle.

Written by Bryan Edwards, with the foreword by Chris Packham, and with support from the Dorset Environmental Records Centre, Natural England, and Dorset County Council, the guide describes how the remarkable variety of rocks along the World Heritage Site has produced a wealth of wildlife habitats that host plant and animal communities of international importance, and is lavishly illustrated with maps and beautiful colour photographs of the plants and animals that populate this wonderful stretch of coast.

Invited guests and the general public enjoyed a buffet meal in the Castle's Stable Café listening with interest as Mr Packham officially launched Wildlife of the Jurassic Coast guidebook, and spoke humorously and enthusiastically about childhood holidays spent visiting the Jurassic Coast.

He said, "I am grateful to my parents for bringing me to this amazing coast at such an early age to discover the diverse species that live in this extraordinary habitat.  Since then it has been my great vocational ambition to help more people access natural history.  Last weekend I visited the area and saw lots of young people eating ice-cream and enjoying themselves but not one of them was on their hands and knees' discovering what is all around them.  This guide will help them access and appreciate a whole new aspect to the coast, countryside and the special habitat the Jurassic coast provides for many species."

James Weld, Chairman of the Jurassic Coast Trust said "We are really excited to see this important book in print and my thanks go to all those involved.  A very important part of the Trust's work is to engage more people and companies with what this amazing coastline has to offer.  Whilst other publications focus on the incredible geology of the area, this book tells us of the species that flourish as a result of its unique habitat".

Chris Packham continued, "there are many books which applaud rare and glamorous species but this book offers more; plenty of little gems of information about common species, maps of the area and great visuals to help you identify what is around you.  How many of us would recognise the bloody nosed beetle or know we had just seen a gatekeeper or hedge Brown butterfly, this book will help you.  It's a good book; I wish I'd had it at the weekend".

Published by Coastal Publishing, the book is available from bookshops, Tourist Information Centres and Visitor Centres along the Jurassic Coast from Bournemouth to Exeter.