THE Richard Jeffries Society and White Horse Bookshop will co-sponsor the fifth annual Nature Writing Prize.

Richard Jeffries was born in Coate in 1848 and was well-known for his books of natural history, essays and novels about rural life.

In awarding the prize the judges look for writing which they feel reflects that spirit and knowledge.

Last year’s winner Wilding by Isabella Tree was described by one of the judges as a publication that Mr Jefferies himself would have strongly supported. The shortlist for the 2019 prize has now been published: On the Marsh by Simon Barnes, Incredible Journeys by David Barrie, The Hidden World of the Fox by Adele Brand, The Nature of Spring by Jim Crumley, Rebirding by Benedict MacDonald, and Working with Nature by Jeremy Purseglove.

For every one of the shortlisted books purchased from us between now and the announcement of this year’s winner in May, the White Horse Bookshop will plant a tree.

A spokesman said: "Planting trees is recognised as one of the most simple and cost-effective ways to improve the environment, locally and globally, and we’re happy to do our bit – and confident that Richard Jefferies would approve."