A GROUP of young naturalists from West Somerset has received a special award from the Wildlife Trusts.

Somerset Wildlife Trust's Nettlecombe Court Watch Club has been named Watch Group of the Year 2009 for the South West region.

Wildlife Watch is the Wildlife Trusts' branch for junior members, and the Watch Group of the Year Award aims to recognise young people's love of wildlife.

Watch Club members participated in a variety of activities to win their award including surveying earthworms, making reptile flaps, building dens, scavenger hunts, and looking for animal tracks.

The group is looking forward to a visit from the Secret World Wildlife Rescue staff and animals, and will soon be starting work on a nature garden.

Ten-year-old Lydia Hayes, who has been going to the Watch Club from about four years, said: "I think Watch Club is amazing!

"We do lots of fun and exciting activities - my favourite was building sparrow nest boxes.

"I remember doing lots of other activities like den building, arts and crafts, fire lighting and baking fresh bread over the fire, making reptile hides and attracting, investigating and recording moths.

"I am really looking forward to Secret World Wildlife Rescue coming to visit us."

Somerset Wildlife Trust's education outreach manager Jessy Emery said: "Somerset Wildlife Trust is really proud of the young people in West Somerset who won this award and it is great to see their enthusiasm for wildlife recognised.

"Wildlife Watch is all about inspiring young people to care about wildlife and the natural environment and we look forward to welcoming new junior members to our award winning group in 2010."

As well as three Wildlife Watch groups - at Nettlecombe Court, Fyne Court, Broomfield, and Chancellors Farm, near Cheddar, Somerset Wildlife Trust also runs family events throughout the year.

"The judges are always impressed by the work of young people and Wildlife Watch group leaders when they see the entries for Watch Group of the Year," said Amanda Morgan, people and wildlife officer at the Wildlife Trusts.

"This year has been no exception, with groups taking a really creative and adventurous approach to the year's activities.

"Making bird boxes and feeding the birds were ever popular, as were minibeast hunts and pond dipping.

"But there was also an intrepid explorer theme to the entries this year, with an increase in groups taking part in bushcraft and forest school activities."

The winning group will receive a certificate signed by television presenter and the Wildlife Trusts' vice-president, Chris Packham.

To learn more about Somerset Wildlife Trust's Watch Groups and upcoming family events and activities visit http://www.somersetwildlife.org">www.somersetwildlife.org or call Jessy on 01823 652415 or email [email protected]">[email protected].