Experts predicted the species would be extinct in the UK by 2012

On the River Deben the numbers of water voles are recovering because of a trapping programme to catch mink.

Between 1998 and 2003 numbers along the river went down by 55% but in just one year numbers have increased by 40%, say the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

The trust has teamed up with landowners to install mink traps along the river. Mink is the main predator of the vole.

Studies had predicted the water vole would become extinct in the UK by 2012.

Penny Hemphill, from the trust, said the project has shown that trend could be reversed.

"There are 10 landowners along the river trapping mink from Ashfield to Lower Ufford," she said.

"Several landowners have reported that wildlife has returned to the rivers with moorhen and ducks frequently present."

The decline of the water vole is attributed to habitat loss but has been exacerbated by the American mink.