Schemes to protect some of the region's most threatened species and habitats are under way.

The Durham Biodiversity Partnership has appointed Andy Lees as its project officer for County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

He said: "The Durham area has an amazing wildlife heritage.

"The Heritage Coast, the hay meadows and moors of the upper dales, our beautiful rivers and the scarce magnesian limestone grassland in the east are all national treasures.

"We all need to work together to ensure they are looked after."

The partnership includes councils and environmental groups, and aims to help protect the most vulnerable and important wildlife in the region.

Based at Durham Wildlife Trust's visitor centre at Rainton Meadows, Mr Lees will work with other organisations to protect species such as the Durham Argus butterfly, and conserve and create habitats such as ponds and wetlands.

He is already working with partners on several projects, including a scheme to improve roadside verges for wild flowers, working with the Durham County Council's highways department.

He is also running a scheme to protect and create new hedgerows in Darlington, Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside.

He said: "We need good information about local wildlife before we can decide how best to look after it."