PEOPLE across Somerset are being urged to focus on fungi, and help the wildlife trust spot spectacular mushrooms.

Somerset Wildlife Trust have just announced their latest project within the Great Somerset Wildlife Count initiative: The Fantastic Fungi Focus. Taking place between 4th and 6th November, the event encourages people to get outside and explore their local woodland areas while helping to collect vital data about some of the different species of fungi in Somerset — and you can join in simply by recording what you see! Fungi play an important role within our soil ecosystems, helping to recycle nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter and providing food and shelter for different animals. According to Somerset Wildlife Trust, understanding more about their distribution and abundance is really important, but it is especially important in our woodland habitats, as experts are able to understand more about the health of a woodland through its fungi. You can take part in the Fantastic Fungi Focus from anywhere in Somerset, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get the whole family outside to spend a bit of time in nature. Somerset Wildlife Trust have also provided a special spotter guide, which you can download for free from their website when you sign up.