LAST-ditch efforts to save the fast-declining water vole in Worcestershire have been put in place in the mammals' only remaining stronghold.

Bromsgrove District Council has joined forces with the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to try to secure the future of the water vole in the county.

The initiative includes simple measures such as leaving one metre of vegetation along streams in Bromsgrove to provide the creatures with food and enable them to hide from predators such as herons and mink.

A more complex scheme, however, is planned for Battlefield Brook where extra pools are being put in place and natural habitat is being allowed to thrive.

Colony

"We carried out a survey last year to see where we still had water voles, and we found that Bromsgrove was the only place they were still thriving," said Andy Graham, Worcester Wil-dlife Trust spokesman.

"Along with Bromsgrove District Council we decided to try to make sure this relatively strong colony remained just that.

"Another survey will be carried out later in the year to see if this has been successful."

National studies have found that up to 90 per cent of sites previously inhabited by water voles are now empty, making them one of the most endangered species in Britain.

The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has appealed for anyone who has spotted a water vole in the county to contact them on 01905 754919