TV comedian Bill Bailey, famous for his appearances on the BBC’s Never mind the Buzzcocks, will open Exeter's historic Cricklepit Mill later this spring.

Bill will officially open Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) new interpretation centre to the public on April 17.

The grand opening will be followed by a free festival of wildlife activities, workshops and tours of the restored Mill.

As well as being a popular comedian, Bill also has a keen interest in wildlife. This was highlighted in 2006 with the Channel 4 series Wild Thing I love You, where he led a team of experts around the country tackling a range of important wildlife problems.

DWT's marketing manager Rod Birtles was delighted to receive the confirmation.

He said: "We are really excited to have Bill Bailey at our opening event. He is a great character and proves that it is cool to love wildlife."

Cricklepit Mill was purchased by DWT in July 2004 and it has been developed not only into the charity's new headquarters but also a historic and wildlife oriented interpretation centre.

Over the past few years the charity has concentrated on the lengthy process of restoring the milling machinery, moving in and more recently installing the interpretation.

Birtles added: "It has been such a long journey for us, it is fantastic to finally get to the opening event.

"Since we moved in last August we have had lots of visitors popping in to have a look at how we are getting on.

"The area is looking in good shape now. Exeter City Council has just finished refurbishing the City wall and Cricklepit Street which means more people are passing and seeing all the developments that are happening here."

The development of the site has been made possible thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, South West Regional Development Agency, Exeter City Council, Viridor and Exeter Canal & Quay Trust along with a number of other charitable trusts and corporate supporters.