A TALK on the future of Hampshire's countryside will be given by Lord Selborne next month.

"A better quality of life in rural Hampshire - without damaging the countryside" will be the topic at Sparsholt College, near Winchester.

The talk follows the annual general meeting of the Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England at The Wessex Centre on Saturday, May 7.

The subject is particularly topical for Hampshire residents, as the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) cited improving the quality of life as the main aim of its draft South East Plan.

The Hampshire branch of the CPRE compiled a detailed response to the draft plan, which can be read on its website at www.cprehampshire.org.uk.

The AGM begins at 10.45am. Members of the public, as well as CPRE members, will be made welcome at the presentation, which will be held from 12.15 to approximately 1.00pm.

Lord Selborne is Chairman of Blackmoor Estate Ltd, a family farming business based at Selborne with interests in fruit growing, milk production and nursery enterprises.

He is currently Chairman of the Trustees of The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Chancellor of the University of Southampton.