Wildlife conservation charity, People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), is rallying volunteers across England, Scotland and Wales to survey endangered water voles.

The mammal's populations have reduced by 90 per cent since the 1970s.

They were once a frequent sight on Britain's waterways, but habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation from non-native American mink have left them on the brink.

The PTES is asking volunteers to help survey water voles until June 15.

Emily Sabin, water vole officer at PTES, said: "With their glossy dark brown fur, blunt snouts and furry tails, water voles are incredibly cute, but the decline they continue to experience is nothing short of alarming.

"To prevent any further losses and to hopefully start seeing water voles across our waterways more broadly, we need as many people to take part in our survey as possible.”

Last year, 176 sites were surveyed across the nation, with water voles found in 53 of them.

Visit: www.ptes.org/watervoles