Take a snooze on the wild side this weekend.

From Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11, the RSPB is inviting people across the UK to join in the first Big Wild Sleepout by spending a night outdoors.

Participants can spend the evening in their garden, or at an organised sleepout, and can also help raise funds for the RSPB by getting their events sponsored by friends and family.

An organised sleepout is taking place at RSPB’s Northward Hill nature reserve near Hoo on Saturday.

Once the tents are up visitors can cook their dinner around a roaring camp fire where soup will be provided, followed by a walk into the woods as the sun sets, detecting bats and other nocturnal creatures.

Once it is fully dark Mid Kent Astronomical Society will lead a stargazing event, looking for the Perseid meteor shower and spotting stars and galaxies through telescopes late into the night.

Reserve warden Andy Daw said: “The reserve is beautiful and this is a chance to see it through a mid-summer’s night with so much to explore, glow worms, meteors and our own candlelit trail.”

Admission is priced £25 for adults and £10 for children under 16. It is limited to 30 pitches, so booking is essential by phoning 01634 222480.

Visit www.rspb.org.uk for information.