'Wild' man of North puts it all in a book; Environment.

ONE of the North East's leading wildlife figures has written a book on his lifelong links with nature.

Wild, published by Mudfog at pounds 10, is by Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust .

The book is divided into four main sections: Encounters deals with close encounters with a variety of wildlife species; Childhood examines formative experiences with nature; Elements explores sensory responses to nature and Connections is a series of stories and personal experiences illustrating how nature and man are connected and interdependent.

Mike said: "I was born on Teesside and have worked most of my life in the North East and Yorkshire. I have noticed that nowhere is there such an acute intertwining of landscapes and people than in this part of the world.

"I wrote the book to express my personal reactions and feelings about the natural world.

"I feel privileged to have such a close connection with wildlife and nature through my own explorations and professionally and want to open more people's eyes to this richness.

"I feel that one way or another I was born with an intrinsic connection to the wild as I have always felt most comfortable in the outdoors and with animals."