A new report has revealed the pressures threatening wildlife habitats in the region.

The Biodiversity Audit of the North-East documents nine animals and flowers which are now extinct in the region.

Launched in Newcastle this morning, the report also makes a plea for action to ensure the survival of the area's flora and fauna.

Covering County Durham, the former county of Cleveland and Northumberland, the audit was prepared for the region's biodiversity forum by English Nature.

John Barrett, forum chairman, said: "Anyone who has been to the coast and seen the offshore islands, which teem with nesting seabirds, or visited the Pennine dales in spring and seen the hay meadows ablaze with wildflowers, will know that in the North-east we enjoy a rich natural heritage."

In a foreword, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "The protection and careful management of natural resources is essential to the quality of life of the people of North-East England.

"An attractive natural environment encourages inward investment, helps regenerate our towns and cities and is important for the well-being of rural areas."

Tony Flynn, chairman of the North-East Assembly, said protecting the region's biodiversity must be at the heart of decision-making.

The nine species extinct in the region because of the loss of habitat are great yellow bumble bee, shrill carder bee, pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly, narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth, sword grass, the lichen bacidia incompta, cornflower, red hemp-nettle and shepherd's needle.

Audit author Nick Brodin, conservation officer at English Nature, said: "Such losses are tragic and we must take action to prevent further extinctions in the North-East."

Species and habitats found in the region and suffering declines nationally include lowland heathland, down 80 per cent in England in 200 years; upland semi-natural woodland, down 40 per cent in the UK in 60 years; brown hare, down by as much as 49 per cent in the UK in 25 years; red squirrel, down 49 per cent in the UK in 25 years; skylark, down 54 per cent in the UK between 1969 and 1991; and tree sparrow, which has seen a decline of 85 per cent in the UK between 1968 and 1991.

However, the region has 40 per cent of England's upland hay meadows, 15 per cent of English coastal sand dunes, 80 to 90 per cent of England's yellow marsh saxifrage flowers, it is one of the few areas in England where pine martens are found and has more than 80 per cent of English black grouse.

Species which occur nowhere else in England include Teesdale rock-rose flower and round-mouthed whorl snail.

Copes of the audit report will be sent to organisations that are involved in decision-making. It is also available in libraries and as a CD-Rom.

Further information is available from English Nature's Northumbria Team, on (01661) 845500.