Many of us would like to take steps towards eating healthily - but would you ever think of tucking into a badger or squirrel as the most appropriate way?

Master forager Fergus Drennan does and plans to live on such wild food for a year.

Some might argue the quest is foolhardy but the 36-year-old, who lives in Broad Oak, Canterbury, is confident that he can do it.

Mr Drennan has spent all winter preparing and has had a full medical check-up before embarking on the 12-month challenge.

As well as putting on about a stone and a half in weight, he has prepared masses of wild food, from dried field mushrooms and acorn flour to apple juice from windfalls and rosehip syrup.

Dubbed the Roadkill Chef, Mr Drennan also has a badger, four pheasants, rabbit and squirrel -all picked up from the side of the road – in his deep freeze.

“I’m really anxious and haven’t slept properly for three nights,” he admitted on the eve of the experiment.

Over the next 12 months he is hoping to drink only natural water. And he won’t be limiting his foraging to food.

He explained: “By the end of the year I intend to have a full set of clothes from boots and trousers to a jacket, made from animal skins. I’m researching the whole tanning process at the moment.”

An archaeologist from York University is planning to follow his progress as part of her research into the use of starchy food plants in the Stone Age.

He will also be writing a regular blog about his experiences for The Ecologist Online, which readers can follow at www.theecologist.org.

Find out more about him by visiting his website at www.wildmanwildfood.co.uk