A DOYEN of a nature charity known as "Mr Wildlife" will retire this month after more than 30 years of service.

Sussex Wildlife Trust will bid farewell to a much-loved member of staff Mike Russel at the end of June.

Mike joined the Sussex Wildlife Trust in 1985 as warden and lived with his wife, Pauline and two sons, Liam and Niall at Woods Mill nature reserve, near Henfield.

The house has since been converted into offices for staff working for the registered charity, the largest nature conservation organisation in Sussex.

Mike said: "Over the past few years I have returned to perhaps what I enjoy most, organising our adult education programmes and particularly teaching.

"I find it rewarding to be able to show and inspire people about the wonderful landscapes and wildlife to be found in Sussex.

"Retirement beckons and although I will continue to lead some courses at Woods Mill nature reserve and throughout Sussex in the future, I will undoubtedly miss my day to day involvement with the Sussex Wildlife Trust which has been such a huge part of my life."

Mike said his life is inextricably linked to the nightingale, which flies 3,000 miles each year from West Africa to England to find a mate before making the perilous return journey.

Mike runs regular Evening with Nightingales events which sell out every year.

He will step down at the end of the month.