MICE scuttling through the Blackdown Hills will soon have new homes after 300 new nests were installed in the area.

The Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is home to hundreds of Dormice and now, the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme has installed the news nests to provide a safe and sheltered space for the small animals.

The programme is managed by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). The nests have been installed at six points in the area, and will allow the association to monitor them more accurately.

It is hoped the new nests will lead to a population increase, as dormice have suffered dramatic declines over the past century due to the loss of their ancient woodland habitat, and providing nest boxes can help keep track of how populations are faring, and also provide habitat for rearing their young.

The nest boxes have been installed by the Heritage Lottery Funded ‘Blackdown Hills Natural Futures’ project which works across the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to survey wildlife sites and raise awareness of nature conservation through a wide range of events and activities.

Conrad Barrowclough, from Blackdown Hills Natural Futures, said: “The opportunity to boost monitoring of this most endearing of native species is really exciting.

"The Blackdown Hills is a stunning area and potentially offers an abundance of dormouse habitat, so the chance to contribute records to a national scheme from such a historically under-recorded area is great.”

Ian White, from PTES, said: “Dormouse populations continue to decline and although dormouse boxes can help provide additional nesting areas, good woodland management is also needed.

"Dormice are excellent indicators of good quality wood and scrub habitats and the places where dormice like to live are also good for woodland birds, butterflies and bats.”