A DESCENDANT of a famous BBC announcer has turned podcaster to tell people about the New Forest's largest tree.

Visitors can learn about the famous Knightwood Oak by accessing the Forestry Commission website and downloading a special file on to their MP3 player.

The project is the brainchild of ranger Paul Hibberd, pictured above, whose great-uncle was one of the BBC's most celebrated 20th century presenters.

Stuart Hibberd (1893-1983) is best known for the broadcast he made shortly before King George V died at Sandringham in January 1936.

Mr Hibberd went on air and told the world: "The king's life is moving peacefully towards its close."

Paul Hibberd said: "My first podcast has royal connections too - the Knightwood Oak has been visited several times by the Queen.

"The tree is something of a monarch itself and at 500 years old is among the most ancient of its kind in the Forest.

"A key aim now is to ensure that when the tree dies it leaves behind some heirs. A few of its saplings have already been planted nearby."

Mr Hibberd hopes to produce a series of short podcast talks that people can download and take with them when they visit other attractions.