A UNIVERSITY student has received a letter from Sir David Attenborough after writing a dissertation on deforestation.

Heather Needham from Preston was overjoyed when she got the letter signed from the legendary environmentalist.

Miss Needham, 21, is studying a degree in geography, with geocomputation & spatial analysis at King's College London.

She wrote her dissertation on the impacts of conflict cessation and post-conflict development on deforestation within Colombia and its protected areas.

She said: “Over 50% of Colombia’s territory is covered by forests, which are cleared at an alarming and unsustainable rate.”

In 2016, the Colombian government signed a peace agreement - End of Conflict and the Construction of Long-Term Peace, with the FARC rebels (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia), which ended five decades of internal conflict.

Miss Needham said: “I wrote my dissertation about deforestation in post-conflict Colombia as little is known about rates of deforestation following cessation and further, more is needed to be done to protect forests in regions characterised by conflict.”

The university student sent him a letter and a printed copy of her dissertation in the post last week.

A few days later, she found a handwritten letter in her post box from him which said: "Dear Heather Needham, Thank you for your letter Your dissertation looks most interesting and valuable, and I know I shall read it with benefit Thank you again Best wishes David Attenborough.”

Miss Needham said: “I read that he receives over 70 letters a day. Therefore, I was not really expecting a reply.

“I never receive handwritten letters so when I saw the letter in my post box, I had an inkling it could be from him.

“I was ecstatic to find a handwritten letter from him in my post box.

“Sir David Attenborough is the world’s greatest environmental advocate who has inspired millions. To have my dissertation research recognised by him is incredible. A geographer's dream.”

Sir David is known for occasionally responding to letters sent to him, especially answering questions from his youngest fans.

Miss Needham said: “It’s amazing to know that someone so influential actually took the time to reply to me.”

The student wants a career in conservation research and policy advice in the future.