A SCHOOLBOY and wildlife lover got a once-in-a-lifetime experience as he met broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough.
Andrew Bridge, 11, travelled to Birkenhead with dad John Kinsley for the naming ceremony of a research ship which honours the broadcasting legend.
Sir David Attenborough and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Cammell Laird last week for the naming ceremony of the Polar research ship.
The decision to name it RRS Sir David Attenborough was made in 2016 after a public vote had seen 'Boaty McBoatface' the most popular option.
Andrew, a St Cuthbert's and ex-Holy Spirit Primary School pupil, has featured previously in the Star when, aged seven, he raised the alarm when he saw a woman drowning in the canal near the Vulcan Village while on a wildlife spotting trip with his dad.
Andrew at the ceremony
Dad John had featured in an award-winning documentary on bird egg collecting, which was put forward for an Oscar nomination.
John and Andrew, who not only managed to get access to the naming ceremony, even got to speak to Sir David afterwards.
They got to have a chat with Sir David after the ceremony, with the broadcaster even having a flick through a book John has written which Andrew handed him.
"It was one of those things," said John, from Newton-le-Willows.
"We knew David Attenborough was going there but we didn't know you had to have tickets.
"We couldn't get in there but I met with one of the journalists and luckily he went and my lad was talking to somebody and someone came out and gave us free tickets.
"We thought we wouldn't get anywhere near David Attenborough!"
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