Oliver Burton with Alan Titchmarsh at Ottakar's. 28/10/04NATURAL history enthusiast Alan Titchmarsh was in Ottakar's, Salisbury, last Thursday, signing copies of the book that accompanies his latest TV series, The British Isles: A Natural History.

Dozens of people waited patiently in line to meet the popular presenter, who made a point of talking to everyone and answering all their questions.

The main question on everyone's lips seemed to be why had he made the series, when it was so different from his usual gardening programmes.

Mr Titchmarsh said: "Gardening and growing things are all part of nature and people tend to forget that I studied botany at Kew.

"People compare me to David Attenborough but I'm not going where David goes. I'm coming from a different place and it's a different style of documentary, too - one I hope that is just as legitimate."

Mr Titchmarsh said he enjoyed making the series enormously.

He added: "It really is important that people learn more about the natural wonders on their doorsteps.

"It is only then that people will realise what beauty we have in this country and that we have to take care of it - that's the most important thing."

Mr Titchmarsh said there were no plans to do another series on the British Isles but he hoped to produce some more natural history programmes.

"We're talking with the BBC at the moment, so watch this space!" he said.