Budding young Ray Mears and Bear Grylls are being given the opportunity to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors.

Steve Sutherland has launched Hidden Woods, a new woodland camp where families can take part in bushcraft events and outdoor education programmes.

It is set in 80 acres of woodland near Bradford on Avon, and will be open to the public from Easter.

Mr Sutherland, a former King Edward's School pupil, believes it will prove popular with youngsters.

He said: "We're really excited about what's in store. We have created a lovely camp with lots of 'wow' features. It's in an area of stunning woodland, complete with mighty oaks and babbling brooks."

He added: "We'll be starting with three consecutive weeks of school holiday programmes over the Easter break, for which we're now taking bookings. Activities will include shelter building, fire lighting, camp fire cooking and much more.

"We'll also be offering family weekends, a Forest School Saturday club and bushcraft birthday parties, which we hope will be a breath of fresh air for parents looking for fun, outdoorsy ways to keep the kids entertained.

"It is the perfect antidote to so many of the artificial, predictable offerings currently out there."

Mr Sutherland grew up in Bath but left to pursue his career in the outdoor activity industry, including helping to develop the forest adventure company Go Ape, which now has 28 locations.

He has returned to the Bath area with his young family and is hoping that Hidden Woods can take off in the same way.

He said: "Today's children have fewer opportunities to engage with the natural world than their parents did, despite the fact that there is clear evidence that it is essential for our physical and emotional health.

"We hope to play our part in helping to redress this imbalance while having a lot of fun along the way."

For more go to www.hiddenwoods.co.uk.