Celebrated author and hill farmer James Rebanks will reveal his love for the works of a woman who left a lasting legacy on his beloved Lake District hills.

James, whose book 'A Shepherd's Life' was published in March 2015 and became an overnight sensation, not just in the UK, but across the world, will address a conference next week held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birth.

In his best-selling book, The Shepherd's Life, James, who lives in the Matterdale Valley, refers to the impact that Beatrix Potter had on preserving the Herdwick sheep breed, and 4,000 acres of Lake District farmland, along with a vast array of historic agricultural buildings.

He states that of all the writers associated with the Lake District, Potter is 'the one I love the most'.

Potter left 15 farms to the National Trust when she died, and according to her wishes, all graze Herdwick flocks today.

James, whose second book "The Illustrated Herdwick Shepherd", followed in late 2015, will talk and be interviewed as part of the Conference "Beatrix Potter: a lasting legacy" on July 6 at the Burnside Hotel in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Libby Joy, Editor of the Society's Journal and Newsletter, will host the event with James to learn more about his interest in Potter.

The 150th anniversary of Potter's birth on July 28 1866, is being celebrated throughout the UK this year, and an address by James, to Beatrix Potter Society members, is being regarded as high on the list of important events.

Rebanks’s fans, including the 60,500 people who follow his Twitter account @herdyshepherd1, have been gripped by his labours. A clip showing his sheepdog Floss’s new puppies was watched more than 400,000 times.