“Shellsuit Bob Adams“ from BBC Scotland’s highly successful River City soap is to try his hand at life on the farm during the LEAF Open Farm Sunday event at Invergowrie’s SCRI crop research centre.

“Bob”, played by young Glasgow actor Stephen Purdon, has agreed to be the celebrity guest at the open day next Sunday June 10th. Hundreds are expected to attend the free event to enjoy tractor rides, treasure hunts and a chance to talk to scientists and find out what they do.

Actor Stephen said: “I can't imagine Bob taking to life on the farm although with his mechanical skills, I suppose he'd be a useful guy to have about when it comes to fixing the tractors and all the other gear!”

“Speaking for myself...I love the countryside and it's good to see farmers who like welcoming city-types like ‘Bob’ on to their farms and explaining a little bit about what they do - and why they do it!."

SCRI is a member of LEAF – Linking Environment and Farming. LEAF is committed to viable agriculture which is environmentally and socially acceptable and ensures the supply of wholesome, affordable food. The SCRI day is being sponsored by the British Ecological Society.

There’ll be a photographic art competition and a chance to see SCRI’s own weather station.

SCRI also hosts The Living Field, an educational facility set up in 2002 aimed at promoting plant and insect identification and conservation. The Living Field CD-Rom has been distributed to every school in Scotland.

The latest development is a resource centre and that will be on show to the general public for the first time on Sunday June 10.

The Open Farm Sunday runs from 1100 to 1600. Admission is free and refreshments will be on sale.

More information on LEAF can be found at: www.farmsunday.org/leaf/farmsunday

SCRI is located at Invergowrie 6km west of the centre of Dundee. Access is via Riverside Avenue, Main Street and Errol Road.