A free smartphone app has been produced to make it fun for children, teens and adventurous adults to learn about the landscapes of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and how they have changed over millions of years!

The app is called ‘Voyager - deepTime’ and can be downloaded from the online App Store and Google Play. It encourages people to go outside and find out about the rocks beneath their feet as they embark on a voyage of discovery and survival in ancient environments.

From volcanoes and glaciers, to tropical seas and scorching desertss, our local landscapes have been each of these at various times in the past, with dinosaurs, giant dragon flies and some astonishing sea creatures inhabiting those environments.

The app has been produced by local charity Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust, thanks to a grant of almost £60,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It has also been supported by other local charities, community groups, schools and individuals with a love of our landscapes.

The three-year project, called Voyages in Deep Time has also enabled the development of a website, www.deeptime.voyage, and provided volunteer and teacher training opportunities, as well as many public events.

Commenting on the apps, Ian Fairchild, Chair of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust said: “If you are wondering what to do in the next school holiday, the Voyager app can help you get out, have fun and learn some amazing things about our local surroundings.”

There are Voyages available for the Wye Valley, near Ross-on-Wye, and other areas.

In Worcestershire, the routes include Martley parish and the Lickey Hills. New Voyages for Bredon Hill, the Malvern Hills and for Wrens Nest in Dudley will be released soon.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.