VOLUNTEERS are needed to stop toads being squashed by traffic on a moorland road near Osmotherley.

Hundreds of migrating toads are killed every spring on the road past Cod Beck Reservoir, as they make their way to spawn.

It is an important site and the North York Moors National Park Authority and National Trust have teamed up to help toads across the road.

Volunteers are needed to join evening patrols. They will simply place the amphibians in buckets and carry them safely over the road.

Park ecologist Rona Charles and National Trust warden Zoe Frank visited Cod Beck on Monday. They said major toad breeding sites were increasingly rare to find. While there, they discussed the rescue project with a Hutton Rudby man who has helped initiate the action.

George MacDonald has taken part in various conservation projects. A retired British Steel languages translator, he is a member of Great Ayton Wildlife Association and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.

Speaking about Cod Beck, he said: "I first became aware of the problem when I was walking here one spring. There were hundreds of dead toads squashed on the road, which had obviously been run over by cars. Toads need clean water to breed in. They move from their winter quarters on land into water during mild spring evenings.

"There is a mass migration at Cod Beck but the toads have to cross the road along one side of the reservoir. As migration usually occurs on-and-off for a few days, and the toads travel after dark, it is difficult to predict exactly the right time to carry out the rescue operation.

"I contacted the park authority and the National Trust, which looks after this particular area, to see whether they could help. They agreed to launch a combined effort and we hope a team of volunteers will be able to carry out patrols on evenings which seem particularly suitable.

"The toads are simply picked up using gloves, placed into buckets and carried across the road to the reservoir. They don't scratch or bite, but gloves make for easier handling. Volunteers use torches to see in the dark. It's very simple.

"This is the first joint rescue effort by the national park and National Trust. I hope it will be well supported by volunteers. This could be a first because I don't know of any other joint operations in the area. It's challenging work, but very rewarding."

Elsewhere across Teesside and North Yorkshire, he and other conservationists have helped transfer threatened tadpoles and spawn to safer sites. However, proper research was necessary before any form of action, he emphasised. He also has some ponds at home.

"I think toads are very interesting creatures, like frogs and newts. Amphibians and reptiles all have an important part to play in the natural world."

Anyone interested in helping at Cod Beck is urged to attend a meeting in Osmotherley's Queen Catherine Hotel on Tuesday, 7-9pm.