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Last Updated: Sunday August 06 2006 12:34 GMT

Daring dormice handlers required

Two dormice asleep
The search is on for a team of people with nerves of steel - to help look after the dormice of the Wye Valley.

Conservation group the WWF is looking to train up to 14 volunteers to help monitor the tiny creatures.

A spokeswoman warned that handling the mice can be "a pretty nerve-wracking experience".

She said they are "doddle" to handle when they're sleepy, but added they "can be very active - shooting out of the nest box when you least expect it".

There are strict protection laws for dormice, which mean that anyone handling them must have special training.

The volunteers will make monthly checks of 300 nest boxes in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire from next spring.

It's part of a £1.3m project to protect wildlife.

A spokeswoman for the project said: "This will help us build up a really good picture of the population."



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