A KILKHAMPTON charity is planning to release water voles into Bude Marshes this year.

The once common water vole (arvicola amphibius) is believed to have suffered a range decline in excess of 97 per cent throughout its former British range. Although population estimates in 2002 indicated a surviving population of 1.2 million it is a rapidly declining species and current figures suggest a national breeding population of around 400,000 individuals.

They are currently believed to be Britain's fastest declining mammal. Historic records testify that water voles were formerly a widespread species in Cornwall.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.