FORMER BBC journalist Felicity Goodey has become president of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

A prominent figure in the North West for more than three decades, Felicity has joined the conservation charity as it reaches its 50th birthday next year.

She has been highly influential in the region's tourism and environment industries and led the team that designed and built The Lowry.

She said of her new role: “I’m honoured to have been asked to become president.

“I’ve been hugely impressed by the energy and commitment of the many volunteers who have built this impressive organisation and the professionalism with which it is run.”

Although the trust has recently embarked on a number of ambitious new projects, Felicity has joined at a challenging time for the region's wildlife.

She said: “We have to find ways of enjoying the countryside for human benefit without destroying this precious resource which we all have a duty to pass on to future generations.

“It's vital we have organisations like the Trust to help us find ways for man and nature to live in harmony.”

Mrs Goodey follows Sir Richard Baker- Wilbraham who leaves the trust after a long tenure which has seen the charity expand and move to the 206ha Bickley Hall Farm near Malpas, along with taking on ambitious projects including their Living Landscape scheme in the Gowy & Mersey Washlands.

She met many trust staff and volunteers during an open day at the organisation’s Bickley Hall Farm headquarters in December, where she accepted the invitation to become the new president from chairman Prof David Norman and chief executive Janel Fone.

Following 28 years as an award-winning broadcaster including a period presenting the BBC’s regional North West Tonight news programme, Felicity went to become a founder board member of the Northwest Development Agency chairing the region’s tourism industry.

She is also the chairman of University Hospital South Manchester at Wythenshawe, recently acknowledged as Britain’s greenest hospital, as well as being a former member of the national Going for Green campaign and of Sustainability Northwest.

Chief executive Dr Janel Fone said: “We are thrilled that Felicity has agreed to become Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s newest president, and our sincere thanks and gratitude also go to Sir Richard Baker-Wilbraham for his many years of dedication to the trust.

“As we approach five decades of conservation work in the region next year, Felicity joins us at a time of great ambition and challenges for the Trust, as we push our community-driven Living Landscape project forward, and continue to seek protection for the region’s wildlife in the face of obstacles such as climate change.

“With a wealth of knowledge of what makes Cheshire and the North West tick, having Felicity at the forefront of the trust’s work will be an invaluable asset as we seek to strike the balance between ensuring Cheshire has a strong and sustainable future, but one that is also rich in wildlife.”