Children 'lose touch with nature'

The children said they preferred computers to the countryside

Most children cannot correctly identify an oak tree, a survey suggests.

The study also showed that only half the youngsters knew what a bluebell or a blue tit looked like.

Environmentalists fear children are not playing outdoors often enough - and are failing to develop an interest in nature.

The study, carried out for BBC Wildlife Magazine, asked 700 Bristol children about wildlife and to identify 15 local species.

Only 45% of the respondents, who were aged nine to 11, could identify an oak tree and the survey also found playing outside was the least popular pastime - using the computer was twice as popular.

Sir David Attenborough told BBC Wildlife Magazine: "The wild world is becoming so remote to children that they miss out - and an interest in the natural world doesn't grow as it should.

"Nobody is going to protect the natural world unless they understand it."

Fergus Collins, features editor of the magazine, said: "The results reinforce the idea that many children don't spend enough time playing in the green outdoors and enjoying wildlife - something older generations might have taken for granted."