DUCHY College at Stoke Climsland is to offer a new course in gamekeeping and wildlife management, following its success in running apprenticeships in gamekeeping for the past three years.

The BTEC Diploma Level 2, starting in September, will offer students the potential to become well-rounded gamekeepers by teaching them to maintain and improve game populations and habitats.

They will also gain skills in retaining and repairing structures and surfaces and enforcing appropriate predator surveys and controls.

The college will be throwing open its doors this Saturday from 10am to noon to give prospective students of all ages the chance to explore the college and its facilities and get the advice they need for their future career.

Those who attend will be able to get a feel for student life when they meet staff and students, visit departments and gather information from tutors on the range of courses and specialist facilities available at the college.

Duchy College offers full and part-time courses in agriculture, animal care and veterinary nursing, business, childcare, countryside and the environment, equine studies, floristry, food, horticulture, land-based engineering, outdoor pursuits, public services and sports and skills for life.