The county's population of the great crested newt will be recorded

The survey will look at the presence of the endangered amphibian and the general health of the county's ponds and pond life.

The Ponds and Newts survey based at Docklow near Leominster has been given a �41,000 European grant.

The project will raise awareness of the contribution ponds make to Herefordshire's wildlife and heritage and gauge the population and distribution of the protected species of newt.

The project will take place over the next three years.

A key part of its work will be establishing a pond warden network in liaison with parish councils to promote conservation measures within their specific areas.

It is estimated that there are 18,000 breeding ponds for the species in Britain, but less than a fifth of these sites are known and many ponds are lost through neglect or development.