A HAMWORTHY adventurer has launched an online appeal in a bid to fund a series of short wildlife films aimed at inspiring youngsters.

Stewart McPherson, of Redfern Natural History, recently completed a television documentary series, aired on BBC4 earlier this year, which focused on the wildlife, culture and heritage of all of the UK Overseas Territories.

Now he needs to raise at least £10,725 via an online Kickstarter appeal by November 20. To date the appeal has raised £5,648 towards the total.

Stewart, who initially wants to make ten films, between five and seven minutes long, explained: "Each film will be targeted specifically towards young people, aged six to 18 years old, and will reveal an amazing range of exotic pets that they can keep at home safely and legally.

"We want to inspire passion and interest in young people for the natural world.

"By introducing them to an amazing range of creatures that they can keep at home, we hope to make the next generation passionate and excited about wildlife through personal experience, driving them towards studying science, especially biology, ecology and conservation."

More than 5,300 copies of his book, Britain's Treasure Islands, have been shipped to British schools.

This was made possible by a donation from businessman, philanthropist and major Tory donor Lord Michael Ashcroft.

Billionaire Lord Ashcroft, a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, has close ties to the Turks & Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory.

On his latest project, Stewart said: "A truly incredible team of professional film-makers with decades of experience is behind this project, and will offer their services, expertise and state of the art camera and editing equipment at a fraction of the commercial rates because they believe in the importance of these films and want them to succeed."

The films will be available to download free of charge

Visit http://kck.st/2cvsihV for further information on the online appeal.