THE LEGENDARY actress and animal conservationist, Virginia McKenna, OBE, joined celebrated poet Philip Wells at a poetry recital at Tintern Abbey last night.

Ms McKenna, who is a lifelong poetry lover, combined poetry and conservation by selecting five of her favourite works to perform alongside renowned performance poet Mr Wells, who entertained the audience with both old and new poems.

Mr Wells, best known as The Fire Poet is currently undertaking a challenge to walk 1,000 miles barefoot following in the footsteps of the bards around England and Wales to raise awareness of children living in poverty and forced to go barefoot every day.

Among the three world charities supporting Barefoot Billion is the Born Free Foundation, a wildlife charity set up by Virginia and her late husband Bill Travers 30 years ago. It is now led by their son Will Travers.

Mr Wells is due to finish his challenge on August 15. Further information at barefootbillion.com