A DRIED up pond could soon be home to a rare newt.

A Woodland Trust project to re-establish the habitat at Vigo Woods, near Chester-le-Street, has been given £13,000 by the County Durham Environmental Trust, which distributes Landfill Tax credit money to green causes.

The pond dried up and filled over because of poor drainage and the accumulation of litter, but a study of the area found evidence of the rare and endangered Great Crested Newt living there.

There are hopes that the re-introduction of the pond could see further newts moving in.

Gary Haley, of the Woodland Trust, said: "By re-establishing the pond we will see a greater host of wildlife including the Great Crested Newt, which is significant as they are an endangered species.

"We also hope that by improving access and walkways, locals and people from further afield will be encouraged to visit the area."

Tree felling begins in November at the northern end of the pond and it is hoped this area will be cleared by next December. The project will be complete in December 2006.

The trust has also given £22,000 to The Hamsterley Trail Blazers project, which aims to establish a cycling centre in the forest. It will feature cycle trails for families and experienced cyclists and an area to learn and practice mountain biking skills.

County Durham Environmental Trust chairman John Wearmouth said: "Through funding projects like Hamsterley Trail Blazers and Vigo Woods we are providing people across the region with the opportunity to make the most of outdoor pursuits and their surrounding environment."