The Daddy: A physical examination before the marathon begins

The mouse, which has just awakened from hibernation, will take part in a captive breeding programme for the protected species at Paignton Zoo.

Affectionately known as "The Daddy", the dormouse from a forest near Exeter will spend the next five years doing his duty.

His offspring will then be taken to areas with low dormice populations

A zoo spokesman said: "He's had a good sleep, a good feed and now he can turn his attention to the ladies."

Dormice have been in decline in Britain since the 1880s, when changes to farming practices resulted in the removal of thousands of acres of woodland.

It's tough work, but he looks up for it Phil Knowling, Paignton Zoo

The hazel dormouse is a protected species, found as far north as Cumbria and Northumberland, although the majority of the populations are found in the south of England.

The scores of litters The Daddy is expected to father will be taken to parts of the UK where the animals are in decline, or locally extinct.

The tiny creatures have died out in several English counties, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Norfolk and Yorkshire.

A special microchip will be fitted to each dormouse to allow scientists to chart their progress and location.

Officials from English Nature and the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) spent months scouring the countryside before finding a father figure who was up to the job at Haldon Forest Park.

A park spokesman said: "We were lucky that we had a high population of young males, so we could spare him.

Big feed

"For five years he'll have all the food he wants and as many women as he can take - and he gets to sleep all winter."

Before heading for bed to gather strength for his arduous task, The Daddy was fed with hazelnuts and berries to boost his weight from 15g to 25g.

Phil Knowling from Paignton Zoo said scientists would monitor his progress in a special outdoor nest made of hay and straw and his mates would be delivered to him.

"During the summer alone he will father up to five litters of about six babies each, before hibernating again in September and starting all over nest year," Mr Knowling said.

"It's tough work, but he looks up for it."