A once in a lifetime trip to the Galapagos Islands by a ten-year old natural history enthusiast, inspired by the University of Cambridge's museums, will be shown on BBC One tonight (4 July).

Alex Hewitt, 11, from Cottenham, entered the Children's BBC Saving Planet Earth competition in September, hoping to be featured as part of the series of programmes on wildlife conservation.

Alex, who has had a keen interest in the environment from a young age, persuaded his mother Liz to send in a film telling producers why he should be chosen above the 800 other young people who entered.

In the film he talked about his love of wildlife and why conservation was so important to him, describing all the things he had learned on regular visits to the University museums, including the Museum of Zoology and Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences.

For the second round he spent two days at Woburn Safari park in Bedfordshire, where he was tested on his conservation and animal knowledge, his memory for learning large chunks of script and his newly learned TV presenting skills. He was judged by an expert panel including wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan.

The biggest surprise for Alex was the moment he found out that he had won, via video link from his hero Sir David Attenborough during a private tour organised by the Zoology Museum - a scene to be featured at the beginning of the documentary.

As one of only five winners he was then given the opportunity to travel to a conservation area of his choice, accompanied by a film crew. He chose the Galapagos Islands because had always been fascinated by the amazing landscape and wildlife of the area.

During the trip in February, accompanied by his dad, Alex visited the Charles Darwin Research Centre, observed a breeding programme for iguanas and giant tortoises, helped to educate islanders how to prevent their pets from harming local wildlife and even got the chance to release rare animals back into the wild.

He also spent time looking at birdlife on the islands, went along to schools to talk to local children about the importance of conservation and visited ‘Lonesome George,' a 70-80 year old Galapagos tortoise suspected to be the last surviving member of his species.

His mother Liz, who works at the Institute of Public health at the University said: “When Alex was three years old he said he wanted to be the next David Attenborough and present wildlife programmes on television. Some of us never realise our dreams but he's managed it at such an early age. I'm extremely proud of him.

“Cambridge is a great place for a child with Alex's interests – he has been incredibly lucky to have such a wealth of free museums on his doorstep. The Science Festival is also such a wonderful event and has stirred up his enthusiasm for conservation and the environment.

“We especially want to express our gratitude to the Museum of Zoology, whose staff have been so fantastic in showing their support for Alex throughout the competition.”

This Friday evening (6 July) he will attend the official Saving Planet Earth bash in Kew Gardens where he may also have the chance to meet his hero Sir David Attenborough in person.

The programme will be shown at 5pm on BBC One tonight.

The University Museums are open to people of all ages and entry is free. Details and opening times can be found by going to the website above right.

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