MORE than 100 water voles are to be released in part of the Washburn Valley.

The small animal, now missing from 97 per cent of its former range, is believed to be one of the fastest declining mammal species in the UK.

It has also been identified as a key species for conservation in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB).

Yorkshire Water is set to release a batch of the creatures at Timble Ings Woods which lies within the AONB and is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SNCI).

The company owns the land and has carried out work to keep watercourses free of tree cover and bankside vegetation to grow - making it ideal for water voles.

Head of Partnerships at Yorkshire Water, Lee Pitcher, said: “As Yorkshire’s second largest landowner we’re committed to ensuring our land protects the management of water, but also benefits the environment by delivering exceptional land for the people of Yorkshire.

“One of the aims of our Land Strategy is to enable plants and wildlife to thrive on Yorkshire Water land.

“The work we’ve undertaken at Timble Ings Woods makes it a fantastic habitat for water voles and is important for the protection of this vulnerable species.”

The animals about to be released into the wild, which have been bred in captivity by Derek Gow Consultancy, will initially be held in large release pens so they can first acclimatise to their new environment.

Biodiversity officer at Nidderdale AONB, Kelly Harmar, said: “Water voles are in decline nationwide and recent surveys in the AONB revealed precious few populations of water vole on our local rivers.

“This introduction is a positive step at a site chosen to maximise their chances of survival.

“We hope the new arrivals will be very happy in their new home.”

Visitors to Timble Ings Woods are being advised to stay on the paths and keep dogs on a lead away from the ponds and watercourses, as water vole populations are very sensitive to disturbance.