A CHARITY is helping raise awareness of the 12 dangers of the countryside with the launch of a new website.

Particularly high up on the list is the tick, which can cause devastating infections such as Lyme disease.

Charity Caudwell LymeCo and Lyme Disease UK, a not-for-profit organisation, have joined forces to launch the website, which can be found at enjoythecountryside.com

John Caudwell, founder, chairman and trustee of Caudwell LymeCo said: "I am proud that my charity is launching this new website and I hope it will help reduce the number of people catching Lyme and other tick borne diseases in Britain. Every year, according to the NHS, two to three thousand people contract Lyme disease from ticks. That’s a staggering five to eight cases every single day. I hope enjoythecountryside.com will help others enjoy our natural beauty spots safely."

The website offers vital information on how to recognise, avoid and deal with bites, stings and encounters with the 'Dirty Dozen Dangers' in Britain. Advice ranges from how to avoid stepping on adders, to the safe removal of toxic hairy caterpillars.

The website will feature a growing list of guest writers and celebrities offering exciting ideas on how to enjoy the countryside, from foraging for natural foods to meditating or exercising.

CEO of Caudwell LymeCo Veronica Hughes said: "Our aim is to encourage people to go out into nature and enjoy all its beauty through walks, sports and healthy activities whilst raising awareness of how to stay safe. Few British people would know what to do if they got bitten by a tick, which can paralyse or cause encephalitis; how to help someone if a bee sting leads to anaphylactic shock; or how to placate stampeding cattle."

Future projects will see enjoythecountryside.com develop activities and educational materials for schools and sporting organisations, online competitions and other community-building projects.

Natasha Metcalf, co-founder of Lyme Disease UK said: "So many patients with tick-borne diseases in our support group caught their illness whilst, ironically, trying to improve their health by spending more time outdoors. We want to protect others from suffering from infectious diseases transmitted by ticks. Being forewarned is being forearmed."