Volunteers are being given free training to help them find out more about the most endangered native mammal in Britain - the water vole.

The Selsey Action for Wildlife Volunteers will learn to look for signs such as distinctive tracks, droppings and burrows, to survey the rare creatures and help encourage a recovery in numbers in the Manhood peninsula area.

Selsey Wildlife Project Officer Sarah Hughes said: "We are offering this training to our Selsey Action for Wildlife volunteers, as well as any new volunteers who would like to get involved.

"In return we would ideally like volunteers to monitor water vole habitats across the Manhood peninsula on a yearly basis.

"It is vital to know where the voles are still living, so that they can be protected and monitored.

"We are very lucky to have habitats in Chichester where they can still be found"

The number of water voles has decreased by more than 90 per cent in the last 20 years, and Pagham and the coastal plain is one of the last remaining strongholds in Sussex.