A TOP Wyre Forest tourist attraction is to feature in a new television series beginning this weekend.

The six-part programme, Safari Park, follows events at West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, with the first episode being broadcast on ITV1 Central on Sunday at 6pm.

Cameras go behind the scenes to capture a variety of stories about the park's animals, including looking at breeding programmes and the lengths staff go to in caring for newborn arrivals.

The series also follows staff to Africa, where conservation work is being carried out by the park's sister reserve, Ongava, in Namibia. Narration is by the actor, Paul McGann.

Bob Lawrence, head warden at the Bewdley park, will be one of the stars of the programme, having been there since it first opened in 1973.

He said: "This is the first time that we have embarked on such major TV work and we all hope that the viewers find our work every bit as inspiring and fascinating as we do."

"The park has changed beyond recognition from those days of bears and baboons wandering around the place.

"Now, safari parks are all about conservation and preservation. People come from all over the world to see the type of work we do with white tigers and rhino, for instance."

Safari Park is the work of the makers of Heart of the Country, Kingfisher Television Productions.