SOME people hate wedding lists but bosses at an Oxford environmental charity were delighted when they found themselves on one compiled by Prince William and fiancée Kate Middleton.

Earthwatch is among 26 charities chosen by the Royal couple to benefit from cash donated by the public.

The charity, based in Banbury Road, Summertown, was founded in 1971 and distributes funds to environmental projects around the world.

Currently, 61 projects in 29 countries are benefiting from Earthwatch cash and the wedding boost is expected to net it thousands more.

The charity, which has 60 staff in the UK and another 130 worldwide, is a pioneer of “citizen science”, where volunteers work alongside scientists.

During the last 40 years, more than 96,000 volunteers have contributed millions of hours to projects around the world.

Earthwatch spokesman Jo-Anne Croft said: “We put in an application alongside a lot of other charities and were delighted that Prince William and Kate Middleton personally selected us from the list. There is a real buzz in the office about this. Charities from around the world have been selected to represent the territories they are involved with and we are delighted that we are one of the smaller charities to benefit.

“I don’t know how much will be raised for Earthwatch but it could be thousands of pounds.”

The charity’s projects include a study of the impact of climate change at Wytham Woods, near Oxford. Work at the forest, known for its bluebells, badgers and birds, began in 2008 and will conclude in May 2012. Mrs Croft said: “We would love it if they came down to Wytham Woods to see the studies we carry out.”

A spokesman for St James’s Palace said: “All the chosen charities are little-known and do not have existing Royal patronage.