LAKES-based TV adventurer Paul Rose has completed a stunning underwater tour of Britain’s coastal waters for a new BBC series.

The marine explorer, who lives in Windermere, will front the BBC 2 programme Britain’s Secret Seas, which begins next month.

Mr Rose, who is best known for the critically acclaimed documentary Oceans, is also embarking on a nationwide lecture tour to preview the new series, starting at Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre on April 13.

The event is organised by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) and is being hosted by the Kendal Mountain Festival’s adventure lecture programme.

Mr Rose will show some remarkable underwater photographs from the TV programme while also giving a unique insight into the challenges of both working and filming at depth.

The explorer, who is currently on expedition on the Greenland Ice Cap, said Britain’s coastal waters boast ‘an abundance of stunning marine life and thousands of incredible shipwrecks; with giant sharks, glowing animals and arches as dramatic as any cathedral’.

Mr Rose works for part of the year as a specialist consultant for the Windermere-based management development company Impact Inernational. He spends the remainder of his time on both polar and underwater expeditions and filming for the BBC.

Jonathan Stevens, of RGS’s North West regional group, said: ‘Paul is a real live wire. Not only does he lead an incredibly exciting life, but he’s also a very engaging speaker with a real talent for inspiring the audience.’ Mr Rose, who is a vice-president of the Royal Geographical Society, was the base commander of Rothera Research Station, Antarctica, for the British Antarctic Survey for 10 years and was awarded HM The Queen's Polar Medal. He was also awarded the US Polar Meal for his work with NASA and the Mars Lander project on Mt Erebus, Antarctica.

He said: “There has never been a more important time in the history of mankind for us, to not only gain an understanding of what is going on in the natural world, but it’s absolutely critical that as many of us as possible engage with and start to understand this fabulous planet we call home.

“That’s why the work of the RGS - particularly in the regions though its regional groups – in engaging with all of us is so important.”

To find out more about this event an d to book tickets online please visit www.breweryarts.co.uk To book tickets by telephone please call 01539 725133.

Britain's Secret Seas starts on Sunday May 8 at 8 pm.