TV presenter and bushcraft expert Ray Mears has teamed up with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group to help promote the islands' natural beauty and conservation projects.

The survival guru is no stranger to the isles, having presented an episode of the programme Wild Britain that examined the local flora and fauna in 2013.

Ray said: “I’m delighted to be working with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group to promote and support this very special UK destination. I’m lucky because my life is about nature, so I don’t feel the frenetic pace of life that many other people do, but for people who are caught up in technology and busy lifestyles, the Isles of Scilly is a perfect panacea.

“Scilly is one of those places which just makes you feel good; there are old-fashioned values on the islands that we’ve forgotten - people have time for each other, and it’s a simpler way of life. Everyone is very friendly and it’s lovely as a visitor to be welcomed into that community while you’re there.

“As well as having the most incredible flora and fauna of course, and if it’s a sunny day, Scilly looks just like the Mediterranean. You feel so refreshed from experiencing it and it’s a true haven to unwind from stress.”

As well as championing the Isles of Scilly as a tourist destination, the presenter will be publicising the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group's charitable enterprises, especially the ones that directly support nature initiatives in the area.

These include the RSPB's Seabird Recovery Project, which the group has taken part in by training their staff to work with wildlife experts and protect seabirds, making sure the islands are free of rats that are predators for young seabird chicks.

The group also supports marine conservation charity ORCA Oceanwatch annually by hosting teams that carry out surveys and sight whales, dolphins, and porpoises from on-board the Scillonian III ferry, to help with the conservation of cetaceans and raise awareness of the diverse marine wildlife around the UK coastline.

Sharon Sandercock, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Ray; he is the perfect person to front our campaigns and charitable work supporting projects which have direct benefits on the local environment and wildlife on the Isles of Scilly.

“Ray will also be fantastic at helping us to promote the destination; there can be few people better placed to promote the unique charms of the Isles of Scilly, with its peaceful, relaxed atmosphere offering a return to a simpler way of life.”