THE whereabouts of the creature best known as Ratty in the children's story, The Wind In The Willows, will be occupying the time of a project officer from Cumbria Wildlife Trust over the coming months.

Kendal-based Ruth Dalton will be tracking down the shy water vole and seeing what can be done to improve its habitat in the county, as it is now listed among Britain's most endangered native species despite the area's vast waterways.

Populations have declined by 94 per cent over the last 50 years.

Pressures from agricultural practices and the spread of the non-native mink, which prey on voles, are said to be behind its decline.

The project, jointly managed by the charity and Eden Rivers Trust, will have a focus around the River Eden. Ms Dalton said: "My first somewhat daunting task, is to survey our very large county, with its many waterways for this small and rather shy mammal.

"The second phase of the project will involve taking steps to try to reverse the shocking population declines.

"I am also enjoying the positive response I get from talking to people about water voles local knowledge is the best tool I can possibly have if we are to have a chance of rescuing Ratty in Cumbria."

The water vole is the country's largest vole, weighing up to 390g and feeds largely on waterside vegetation such as grasses and sedges.

It lives in burrow networks dug into the banks of rivers, ponds and ditches, and can swim and dive.

The characteristics which distinguish the vole from the rat, are the water vole has small hidden ears, silky mid-brown fur, a pointed nose and a long, pink and scaly hairless tale. They also eat vegetation.

Anyone interested in helping Ms Dalton survey the area's waterways and getting involved in training events in the spring, can contact her on 01539-816300 or e-mail her at watervole@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk.