TV wildlife presenter heads to Lancashire

Guest Presenter – Really Wild about Lancashire

Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) today announced that one of TV’s most popular and busy wildlife presenters, Michaela Strachan, will present the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards, taking place on Wednesday 09 June 2009 at the Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Nr Accrington.

Michaela, who now lives in South Africa, recently presenteda major series live from South Africa for the National Geographic channel, as well as the second series of BBC1’s Orangutan Diaries.  She is also best known for her work on BBC’s Countryfile, Channel five’s Animal Rescue Squad, and for her own successful ten part series, Michaela’s Zoo Babies.Some of Michaela’s other presenting highlights include the double BAFTA award-winning Channel five series Michaela’s Wild Challenge, the BBC’s Elephant Diaries and The Really Wild Show, as well as Postcards from the Wild and Adopt a Wild Animal for Discovery’s Animal Planet.

It was two TV shows during the 1980s that made Michaela a household name and brought her the admiration of children and adults alike; The Hit Man and Her co-presented with music entrepreneur Pete Waterman, revealed her attractive, effervescent, personality and helped ensure the cult status of this late night music show; The Wide Awake Club, a flagship children’s programme, brought together relative unknowns Michaela Strachan and Timmy Mallett  in a ‘knock-out’ partnership that was to reunite later in the madcap children’s show, Wacaday.

Commenting today, Mike Wilkinson, LBTB Chief Executive said, “It is great news that Michaela is going to join us for this year’s awards.  Lancashire is 80% rural and blessed with areas of outstanding natural beauty, an abundance of fascinating wildlife and attractions dedicated to sharing an appreciation of animals and the environment.

“Judging by some of this year’s finalists, which include the award-winning Blackpool Zoo, the internationally significant nature reserve Martin Mere and attractions such as Cobble Hey Farm and the outdoor experience Go Ape – Lancashire, like Michaela, is just wild about nature.

“Michaela is passionate about animals and conservation and we’ll be delighted to introduce her to Lancashire’s green tourism businesses and most successful attractions, at this year’s Tourism Awards.”

Each year, LBTB’s Tourism Awards highlight the achievements and contribution of the county’s tourism businesses to Lancashire’s £3billion visitor economy.  Winners of these awards progress to the Northwest regional finals, with the chance to go on to the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence.  

Last week, on St George’s Day, LBTB 2009/10 Award Winners Blackpool Illuminations and The Ashton B&B, Lancaster won Gold and Silver respectively, at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence Awards 2010/11.

The 2010/11 finalists:

Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year:

Langtrys, Blackpool

Little Stubbins B&B, Claughton-on-Brock

Mitton Hall, Nr Whalley

Number One South Beach, Blackpool

Small Hotel of the Year:

The Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping

The Midland Hotel, Morecambe

Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn

The Strand Hotel, Blackpool

Large Hotel of the Year:

Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel

Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool

The Elgin Hotel, Blackpool

Lancaster House Hotel

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Clitheroe Castle and Museum

Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens, Claughton-on-Brock

Samlesbury Hall

World Horse Welfare Penny Farm, Nr Blackpool

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Blackpool Zoo

Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston

Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Caravan Holiday Park/Holiday Village Award:

Fold House Park, Pilling

Newton Hall Holiday Centre, Blackpool

Twyn Ghyll Leisure Park, Gisburn

Self Catering Award:

Martin Lane Farmhouse Holiday Cottages, Burscough

The Old Shippon at Mellor

Promenade Apartments, Blackpool

Queens Mansions, Blackpool

Taste Lancashire Award:

Bashall Barn, Nr Clitheroe

Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens, Claughton-on-Brock

Greens Bistro, Lytham St Annes

The Highwayman, Burrow

Homestead Farm Shop, Holmeswood

Business Tourism Award:

Lancaster Campus, University of Cumbria

The Midland Hotel, Morecambe

Park Hall Hotel Conference Centre, Charnock Richard

Preston Marriott Hotel

Stanley House, Mellor

Sustainable Tourism Award:

Caldertop Cottage, Garstang

Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, Bashall Eaves

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Nr Ormskirk

Access for All Tourism Award:

Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens, Claughton-on-Brock

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Langho

Best Tourism Experience of the Year:

Fish and Chip Themed Cruises, Lancaster Canal Boats

Go Ape! Rivington

Martin Mere Swan Spectacular, Nr Ormskirk

Walkabout Theatre at Williamson Park, The Dukes Lancaster

Online Marketing Award:

Blackpool Zoo

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool

Sugarvine, Blackpool

For more information go to lancashireandblackpool.com

<< ENDS >>

Media enquiries: Anna Izza, Communications Executive, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board on 01257 226614 or [email protected].