THE Game Conservancy Trust is spearheading a national campaign to reintroduce water voles to British rivers - and is offering you a chance to see how they are getting on.

Trust members are holding a special open day on the river Dore, in Herefordshire, to show how they are bringing the species back to different areas of the country.

The trust has released nearly 600 captive-bred water voles on the river over the past year.

The demonstration day, on Tuesday, June 19, will focus on the main elements involved in water vole conservation such as recreating the right habitat, removal of American mink, which are catastrophic for water voles, and the reintroduction of captive-bred water voles.

Water voles are one of our most endearing and charismatic river inhabitants but have suffered a drastic decline in range and abundance in Britain.

Nearly 70 per cent of populations identified in a national survey in the late 1980s had been lost by the late 1990s. As a result, water voles are a Government Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species, with a set target of recovery by 2010. Despite this, water vole populations continue to be lost.

As a wildlife research charity, the Game Conservancy Trust has developed many well-researched and innovative techniques, such as the GCT Mink Raft, that can be used to protect vulnerable species like water voles. The trust also runs an extensive education and advisory programme on wildlife management issues.

Dr Jonathan Reynolds, who has been leading water vole recovery for the trust, said: "The significance of the river Dore project is both its large scale and the fact that, for the first time, we have addressed all the key factors that have contributed to the loss of water voles.

"The river Dore project is a vital development in water vole conservation strategy and should be of huge benefit to all those interested in water vole conservation, including other conservation agencies, farmers, anglers and river-keepers."

The demonstration day, which will be held in Vowchurch, Herefordshire, will include illustrated talks on restoring water vole habitat, the control of American mink using the GCT Mink Raft and the actual release and monitoring of captive-bred water voles. The afternoon session will involve a walking tour of the river to view perfect water vole habitats and mink control techniques.

To book a place, which costs £40 for the day, or for further information, please contact Lynda Ferguson on 01425 651013 or e-mail on lferguson@gct.org.uk