David Attenborough 'thrilled at shows' effect'

David Attenborough has said that he is "thrilled" at the effect his TV programmes have had on education.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, the conservationist and broadcaster said that such complements had a positive impact on him.

"The most touching thing is that people say to me that I have had an effect on their lives," he said. "You would be surprised at the number of academics who say things like, 'I didn't realise what a sponge was until I saw a programme of yours'."

Attenborough, who joined the BBC in 1952, added that he is "very relieved" that the broadcasting landscape still offers "room for the sort of television I make".

However, he also voiced concern about how much today's children know about wildlife.

He said: "Talking to teenagers and so on, I am amazed that they don't know things about natural history that I knew.

"I'm sure they are equally amazed that I don't know as much about Twitter, communications, computers and nanotechnology as they do."

The BBC is reportedly planning to celebrate his 60 years at the corporation with a special programme. His new seven-part series Frozen Planet is due to air later this year.