Cate Blanchett becomes nature reserve ambassador

The Australian-born actor and film producer said she was "delighted" to be Wakehurst's inaugural ambassador

Actress Cate Blanchett has become an ambassador for a nature reserve in West Sussex.

Kew's botanic gardens at Wakehurst, near Haywards Heath, made the announcement on Monday to coincide with Earth Day

The site is home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, believed to be the world's largest store of seeds from wild plant species.

In a statement via Wakehurst, Blanchett said she was "delighted" to be it's inaugural ambassador.

The Australian-born actress and film producer, described as a "regular visitor" to the gardens, continued: "I find the work done here to be utterly inspiring, and a genuine insurance policy against extinction of wild flora and fauna.

"Wakehurst is such a beautiful place to lose yourself in nature, in the immense varieties of trees, plants and grasses.

"I want to help spread the word about this unique and stunning landscape that positively impacts all of our lives.”

The site is home to a mixture of formal gardens, wild meadows, woodlands and wetlands spanning 535 acres (216.5 hectares).

Ms Blanchett said she was "particularly excited" about the work of the Millennium Seed Bank which is based at Wakehurst

Earth Day is a global event which aims to highlight the importance of protecting the environment.

In December, the Wakehurst site decorated the UK's tallest living Christmas tree with 1,800 energy-saving lightbulbs.

Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richard Deverell, said: "She [Ms Blanchett] has been a powerful advocate on social and environmental issues throughout her career and I know she holds special affection for our wild botanic garden, Wakehurst, home to the Millennium Seed Bank."

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