Former Goodie Bill die holds a rare white clawed crayfish

Five hundred of the lobster-like creatures are being released at Carsington Water.

The white clawed crayfish, native to Britain, has been all but wiped out by the introduction of the North American signal crayfish which carries a fungal disease fatal to its European cousins.

Carsington Water has been vetted as a suitable place for the white claw crayfish to flourish, so Severn Trent Water is moving five hundred of the animals from its already successful colony at Nanpantan Reservoir in Leicestershire.

Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is hoped Carsington's population will thrive.