THE water vole, the much-loved Ratty of Wind in the Willows, has largely disappeared from waterways, but now Water for Wildlife has been set up as conservationists eagerly anticipate a Government announcement on its recommendations to increase the legal protection for water voles.

One of the main aims of the project is to reverse water vole decline through conservation work on the ground. This includes river restoration schemes, strategic mink control, working with volunteers to carry out survey work, advising landowners and farmers, plus alerting planners and developers to any potentially damaging effects their actions may have on water vole populations. It is an offence to destroy or damage a known water vole burrow but water voles themselves have no protection.