NATHAN Dixon has been getting acquainted with some of the residents of West Midland Safari Park, where he has been appointed head of grounds.

The 25-year-old met up with the park's African hunting dog puppies as he got his bearings, having completed his amenity horticulture studies in December.

He combined his studies at Stourbridge over a period of several years with travelling before deciding to settle down into employment.

In his previous job as contracts manager with a horticulture business, Mr Dixon supervised national grounds maintenance and landscape projects over a large region, from Milton Keynes to Lancashire.

He said: "My last position was mainly office based and I fancied getting out of doors a bit more."

Mr Dixon said he was "settling in well" at the safari park, adding: "It's a very busy role and I will be responsible for various landscape projects and developing the animal reserves for the park's new features."