There is a subject close to Russell Grant's heart, and it doesn't involve astrology or star signs, for which he has become known to millions of people around the world.

It involves something much closer to home and, frankly, somewhat less glamorous.

The subject is Middlesex. The county. The region. The place Russell feels has been left behind in recent years by the dominance of the huge London metropolis.

'A lot of people assume quite wrongly that when Middlesex County Council was abolished in 1965 that the county of Middlesex was also abolished,' he told me.

'But they are two very different things. One was purely a local authority, there to empty dustbins and provide libraries. The other is a strong vibrant county which has existed since Saxon times to be nothing other than a central unit for people to belong to.' His strength of feeling is evident. But his objectives are strictly rational.

'I don't think bringing back the county council now would be a very practical aspiration. I would just like to see someone create an identity for the geography and history and heritage of our country.'

Born in Harvey Road, Hillingdon, in 1952, Russell's photographic memory is able to recall every address he has lived at since ,, in Harefield, Ickenham, Ruislip, Denham, Acton, Shepherd's Bush, Alperton, Uxbridge, and currently in Staines ,, and all, of course, in the historic county of Middlesex. Best known for his work as a TV and print astrologer, he also lived in America for two years and had a number of bestselling books over there. He became the first 'cyber astrologer' after being approached by internet company America Online and his website ,, www.russellgrant.com ,, sends out 80,000 free e-mails every day to people who want to know what the stars hold for them.

At the moment, he can be seen regularly on GMTV and This Morning. He just been commisioned by Channel 5 to make another 120 episodes of Russell Grant's Postcards, a series of short travel pieces which has taken him across Europe.

'I obviously want to do parts of Middlesex that I've missed in the other series, such as Potters Bar, Finchley, Hendon. We've done Uxbridge and Ealing but haven't covered Harrow yet.'

He said that if you took the all the main organisations which campaign for Middlesex, you would see a membership of up to 70,000.

'There's a lot of political parties that would welcome a membership of that many nationally,' he enthused.

And it is on the boundaries, he believes, where support is at its strongest.

'From Staines, Sunbury and Shepperton in the south and up to Enfield and Potters Bar in the north, Uxbridge in the west and the river Lee to the east.

'They have all put the Middlesex signs back ,, the red shield with the crown and three scimitars. It's still up on all the boundaries and you see it as you cross Chiswick Bridge and Kew Bridge or come in on the A10, A1 or A40.'

Russell has already written one book about his favourite subject ,, The Real Counties of Britain ,, so what now for the future? 'The website industry for me is really taking off,' he said. 'We have been made a big offer to be taken over by a major international corporation and we are on red hot alert to launch ukheritage.com, which will have a very big Middlesex package in it.'

His psychic powers are unable to predict the future for his beloved county, but with such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable celebrity at its helm, Russell Grant should be able to provide a very public voice for the lost county of Middlesex for many more years to come.