Beavers could help stop flooding says council

Plans are being drawn up to re-introduce beavers to parts of Leicestershire.

Leicestershire County Council said the semi-aquatic rodents could be part of efforts to prevent flooding and restore natural habitats.

Beavers were hunted to extinction across England by the 16th Century but recent restoration schemes have seen the animals' population rise to about 1,000, experts have said.

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer from the Beaver Trust told BBC Leicester's Ady Dayman about the benefits of having these animals back, and Adam Tilbury, the council's cabinet member for environment and flooding, explained why he's keen to see the creatures returned to sites across the county.

Image: PA Media