STUDENTS at Duchy College are working with several groups in a new lottery funded project to help save the endangered dormouse in East Cornwall.

The decline in the number of dormice has slowed in the last five years, but there are still concerns over the reduced numbers of this critically endangered animal.

Loss and degradation of woodland and hedgerow habitats have damaged the population, with the once widespread dormouse becoming extinct across half its range in England.

Students at Duchy College have been working with the Kit Hill conservation officer and the Caradon Dormouse Conservation Group to help boost numbers in the region, by studying their habitats and helping to build nest boxes.

Stelios Perdikeas, an instructor on the game keeping and land management course at the college, said: 'We are delighted to establish links with the Caradon Dormouse Conservation Group for a project which has been backed by the Big Lottery Fund.

'The students have been monitoring the numbers of dormice with teams from Natural England.

'Having studied the results we set about building nest boxes, to help further promote numbers in South East Cornwall. The students have also been studying the natural habitat of the dormouse, along with its diet and collecting all the material to produce the nest boxes.'

Course manager Pete Walters said: 'The land management part of the course teaches students about protecting their natural environment.

'As part of this they have been monitoring a number of species in the local area and being involved in projects like this, helps them to gain valuable experience, which will prepare them for a future career in land management.

'It's not just about building the boxes, the students also learn how to coppice the hazel, to help develop the habitat of the dormouse and what they can do to help manage those habitats for the future.'

Jenny Haskett, area manager for Cormac Solutions, said: 'The students from Duchy College have been involved in a number of projects, which includes the dormouse scheme. But I'm delighted to say that's not all — they have erected a fence at Kit Hill and also repaired a stone stile at St Cleer.

'In the New Year they will also be involved with the controlled burning of the heath land which is an important part of land management.

'Working with the students is always great fun, they work hard and they produce fantastic results, it gets them working among the community and gaining valuable work place experience. These are all important projects.'