Bushcraft and Survival expert Ray Mears has joined the fight against Lyme disease by lending his support to tick-borne disease charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness-UK).

Tick Bite Prevention Week, which runs from April 11-17,2011, is an annual programme which helps promote awareness of tick-borne diseases and effective tick bite prevention for at-risk groups.

According to the Health Protection Agency, up to 3,000 people contract Lyme disease (Borreliosis) from the bite of an infected tick each year in the UK.

Anyone that likes to spend time outside, walking and cycling in the countryside is at risk and should read up on what to do to protect yourself from a bite.

As a victim of Lyme disease himself, Ray understands the importance of being aware of ticks and the diseases they carry, and of the preventative measures that can be taken to help prevent ticks from biting people and pets.

A dedicated website has been launched offering advice on what to do if bitten and how to stay protected in the warmer months at www.tickbitepreventionweek.org