Chris Packham to present 'Blue Planet' spin-off series

Broadcaster and Springwatch host Chris Packham is among those set to present a spin-off series to David Attenborough’s Blue Planet.

Packham will be joined by fellow Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke and Countryfile’s Steve Brown on Blue Planet UK, which will air for a week in March on daytime TV.

According to the BBC, the show will be a ‘health check of our seas’, and will offer viewers ‘practical solutions for how to get involved across the country and tackle plastic pollution’.

“Across the week the programmes will feature the latest in science, conservation and fishing to offer a health check of our seas,” the BBC said in a statement.

“The presenters will dip their toes back in history to see what used to live in British waters and explain how people have influenced what’s living there today. Blue Planet UK will also follow up on the huge global impact of Blue Planet II to look at how own lifestyles affect the future of our oceans.”

The news of the show comes ahead of the planned Youth Strike 4 Climate, which is set to see thousands of children miss school this Friday in protest over climate change.

The strike, which will see students down pens from 11am to 2pm, has been supported by the National Association of Head Teachers.

In a statement, it said: “When you get older pupils making an informed decision, that kind of thing needs to be applauded.

“Society makes leaps forward when people are prepared to take action.

“Schools encourage students to develop a wider understanding of the world around them, a day of activity like this could be an important and valuable life experience.”

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