WHITCHURCH's famous water voles have made it into a new book.

Author and ecologist, Hugh Warwick, will be releasing a book on water voles and some of the photos which feature were taken when he visited Whitchurch.

With its canals and streams, Whitchurch has a thriving population and many can be found in Stagg's Brook in Tesco in White Lion Meadow.

Local author, Kate Long, who knows Mr Warwick, was delighted to see Whitchurch's water voles feature in the book.

She said: "I feel very proud of our Whitchurch water voles.

"They are really famous and have been on BBC Midlands Today, Springwatch and BBC Radio 4's 'Saving Species.'

Whitchurch Herald:

Kate spoke about the need to watch any new developments to keep the population stable.

She explained: "It is fairly strong at the moment, but we need to watch new developments all the time.

"That is the sort of thing which can finish a population off."

Kate added: "We need to watch that developments follow the rules because water voles are protected by law.

"There are very stringent rules about how developers have to proceed if there are water voles in the area.

"Water voles will be okay, if people do as they are supposed to."

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Kate explained why she felt the water vole population in Whitchurch remained strong.

She added: "The thing which kills them off is fragmentation when populations become isolated.

"And that has not happened in Whitchurch.

"I think it is because it is a rural area and there has not been as much development as there has been in other places.

"I think it has been good luck."

Whitchurch Herald:

Kate mentioned that the animals have been affected in different parts of the UK and about the impact it has.

She added: "There are areas where they are absent and places where they were extinct.

"Everything is part of ecology and has a role to play.

"We run the risk of collapsing if we take out too many pieces.

"Voles are designed to feed other things, sadly."

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Kate spoke about how many people enjoy seeing the animals.

"It is worth mentioning the tremendous pleasure they give many people," she said.

"When I stand on the bridge in the White Lion Meadow looking for water voles I see many people stop and ask if water voles have been seen.

"People speak about bringing grandchildren or partners to see f they are any.

"People really like the water voles."

You can find the book via https://graffeg.com/products/the-water-vole-book