RENOWNED bushcraft expert and nature lover Ray Mears opened this year's Explore the Outdoors as families flocked to the show.

The TV star joined staff and pupils at the University of Plymouth stand where all manner of creepy crawly bugs were on offer for visitors to taste.

Speaking exclusively with The Herald at the event Ray, who is a well-known for his TV shows including Bushcraft Survival, Wild Food and latest programme Northern Wilderness, said he was excited to be back in the South West, an area he has fond memories of.

"I love it down here," he said.

"I know Dartmoor like the back of my hand."

During his visit to Explore the Outdoors, Ray gave a talk to hundreds of fans about living life to the full and enjoying the natural surroundings right on their doorstep.

"It doesn't matter what people want to do they should just go out and do it," he said.

"And my ultimate message comes from one of my heroes, a man called Grey Owl who said 'in the end you must remember that you belong to nature, not it to you'."

Ray was joined at the two-day event at Plymouth Pavilions by hundreds of families and outdoor pursuits enthusiasts.

Activities on offer included rock climbing, slack line walking, and simulated horse riding and kayaking.

Mum Alison Coleman was at the show with her husband Rob and children Harry, 10, and Mia, eight.

She said: "It's absolutely brilliant. We've made a bird box, been on a horse, and tried slack lining. Now we're going abseiling."

The family were also keen to catch Ray Mears at the speaker's theatre.

Pete Adams had travelled from Bude in Cornwall to the show, and had brought his old copy of Ray Mears' original Outdoor Handbook, hoping to get it signed.

He said: "It's good, there seems to be a lot for the children to do, and it's all free."

His son Marlon, 7, had already collected a "bag of goodies" as the family queued for the climbing wall.

Among the exhibitors was Dr Steve Burchett, from the University of Plymouth, demonstrating his method for climbing into the canopy of trees.

Dr Burchett's system involves firing a rope over a branch with a catapult and securing the ends before ascending the ropes using climbing equipment.

He said: "We train undergraduate students to access the canopy. We work here in Britain in Oak woodland and in the forests of Malaysia and Borneo."

Teresa Page, who was at the show promoting the Blue Mile event taking place in Plymouth this summer, said she had had many enquiries.

"The Blue Mile has been really popular," she said. "The feedback has been really positive."