MILLIONS of toads on their annual migration to spawning ponds this spring are to be protected from the dangers of West Devon's busy roads.

Pondlife charity volunteers, organised by the Devon Wildlife Trust, will be setting up crossing patrols along the routes the creatures habitually take each year.

Organiser Caroline Jones said there were two known crossings in the area — one near Lifton on the A30 and one at Yelverton, but she said there did not seem to be anybody safeguarding Bufo bufo (the common toad) there currently.

There might be other spawning routes the trust is unaware of.

'Every year thousands of toads are slaughtered on our roads and we want to do something about it said Caroline Jones of DWT. 'We have 12 registered crossing sites so far throughout Devon and would be interested to hear about any more hot spots.'

To help safeguard volunteers and make them more visible to motorists, the Pennon Group, which owns South West Water, has provided reflective jackets.

Information about toad movements is passed back to the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre.

Ms Jones said it was important to keep a year-by-year survey to protect Bufo bufo for future years. Volunteers count the numbers of toads, frogs and newts found moving towards water, and casualties as well.

Contact Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244.