VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help visitors enjoy the history, landscape and wildlife of the Exe estuary.

They will be armed with a collection of stories, history and knowledge about the area put together by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds volunteer Steaphan Hazell.

Sally Mills, Exe estuary site manager for the RSPB, said "The aim is to have volunteers on hand at the RSPB's reserves at weekends and busy times to provide information for visitors. The scope of the information collected by Steaphan will mean that the volunteers are equipped to talk to lots of different people about the Exe estuary, its history, the landscape and of course its wildlife."

Steaphan said: "I have been amazed at the number of nationally and internationally important historical events to have taken place on or near the estuary.

"There are tales of local men being carried off to North Africa as slaves, a Civil War battle on the estuary and a massacre at Clyst St Mary.

"I was also surprised to find out how much the estuary has changed. It's estimated that salt marsh used to cover 2,100 hectares, including all of the current RSPB reserves — now just 50 hectares of salt marsh remain.

"It has been great fun to research the history, landscape, and ecology of the area, to think about how these are interlinked, and how they are likely to change in future. It is also great to know that my work will be used immediately, and will hopefully help inform and inspire visitors to the estuary."

Anyone who is interested in volunteering can call Sally Mills on 01392 824614 or visit www.rspb.org.uk.