Black grouse are one of the rarest game birds in the UK

Ten of the birds were released into Upper Derwent Valley on Wednesday in the programme, run by Severn Trent Water and the National Trust.

A total of 90 birds are expected to be introduced by the end of the three-year project in 2005.

It is the biggest re-introduction in the UK of the birds, which is one of the rarest game birds in the country.

The first year of the project saw 30 young black grouse released in October 2003.

Eighteen of the birds were still alive by April 2004.

Andy Warren, conservation advisor at Severn Trent Water, said: "This project has immense potential in terms of providing a blueprint for future re-introductions of black grouse and other similar species across the UK and the world."