More recently he has picked up more tips from fellow doctor and forager Dr Robin Judson.

Dr Grieco, who lives at Pontispool, is passionate about the great outdoors as a means of improving mental and physical health.

And he is keen to pass on his knowledge on courses he runs teaching people what to look out for and how to use and cook foraged finds safely – staying true to the motto Never Munch On A Hunch.

He said: “Using our natural resources is important for our mental health and by responsibly gathering local, free wild food we can sustainably reduce our impact on the planet through reducing our individual food waste and food importation from the other side of the world.

“As a doctor, I know the importance of eating healthily on our physical health and continued learning on our mental health.

“It’s great to be able to pass on to others my passion for exploring what the wonderful Somerset countryside offers right on our doorstep.

“I start with the basics – Never Munch on a Hunch. More important than what you can use is being able to identify what you can’t, and then we work with whatever we find on the day to cook up a tasty meal.

“Each session lasts approximately three hours and even if you can’t attend this autumn, a voucher for a spring course would make a great gift if you are thinking about a Christmas present which won’t break the bank.

“It has a real message about caring for yourself, others and our planet.”

Current course dates are available through October to December and can be booked via Airbnb experiences abnb.me/3Op9Xd7fskb or the website tuttifungi.co.uk at £39 per head or nearly £100 discount for groups of 10.

Advance booking is recommended as the autumn/winter periods are popular with the season’s bounty of porcini and chanterelles on offer.