BUILDERS working on the expansion of a business park found themselves facing an unusual challenge.

A new home had to be created for a colony of water voles (right), because the stream next to which they were living was due to be filled in to make way for an industrial unit at Sovereign Park, off Brenda Road, Hartlepool.

Although contractor Allenbuild North-West and developer Spencer Holdings were legally obliged to take measures to protect the tiny mammals' home, the response to their plight has been praised.

Hartlepool Borough Council ecologist Dan McAndrew said: "Water vole habitat is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and developers have to take reasonable steps to ensure these increasingly rare animals do not come to any harm.

"That is why the council made it a condition of development that their habitat was protected.

"Allenbuild North-West have been particularly co-operative and they have put a lot of time and effort into creating a new channel on the site, which incorporates a number of water vole-friendly features.

"There are already encouraging signs that our efforts are paying off, as we have already spotted some water vole footprints around the channel."

The Environment Agency also became involved, because consent was needed for the watercourse works under land drainage legislation.