A GROUP of young nature enthusiasts from Stroud have been named Watch Group of the Year by leading conservation charity The Wildlife Trusts.

Members of Stroud Wildlife Watch Group - set up locally by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust - demonstrated their love of wildlife by creating and presenting a scrapbook of activities and achievements they undertook in 2012 and beat 300 groups to the top spot.

As a team, they took part in wassailing in a fruit orchard, walked through the famous daffodil woods of Dymock, went pond dipping and searching for dragonflies in Saul and went fossil hunting at Breakheart Quarry near Dursley.

Sadie McGlone, one of the judges, said: "The group looks like lots of fun for children and we liked the way they mixed structured wildlife activities with walks with opportunities for the children to play and do their own thing."

Stroud Wildlife Watch Group meets every month at locations across Gloucestershire.

Watch leader Val Box said: "Our meetings have a family centred approach with children attending with one or both parents.

"We try to ensure everyone has fun, whilst at the same time discovering and engaging in the outdoor environment and with nature."

To find out more about getting a child involved in a Wildlife Watch group go to www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/watch-groups