THE RSPCA is urging more people to sign up to its Wildlife Friends scheme.

So far, more than 1,100 nature lovers have registered to be Wildlife Friends with the animal charity since the initiative was relaunched at the end of March.

All have pledged to undertake a variety of simple tasks to protect and nurture wildlife in their own gardens and green spaces - including by building bug hotels, putting up bird boxes and planting trees. 

Now, the RSPCA has issued a call for more people to join the scheme.

RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: "I am really proud of the RSPCA's Wildlife Friends programme because it is a real opportunity to engage the public to make a bigger difference for wildlife here in the UK.

"We launched the scheme as part of the King's Coronation last year when we had 2,000 people sign up to be Wildlife Friends.

"But we need even more this year as wildlife faces big challenges in the years head.

"Wildlife Friends encourage people to engage in a range of different tasks to help wildlife.

"There's lots of different ways you can get involved."

To find out more and to sign up to be a Wildlife Friend, visit https://volunteer.rspca.org.uk/opportunities/44360-rspca-wildlife-friends-england-wales