IT'S tiny, it's not much to look at and its diet is little short of revolting - but a colony of ants nest wood lice is getting the North-East's entomologists itching with excitement.

The stomach-churning lice like nothing better than to tuck into a hearty meal of ants' droppings and depend on their larger insect cousins for a regular meal ticket.

The insect - less commonly known as platyarthrus hoffmanseggi - is only found in one spot between South Yorkshire and Edinburgh, a sunny spot at Sidegate in Durham City.

But the North-East's only colony of the rare creatures is in some peril as its hosts could be about to up sticks and leave - taking their never-ending supply of food with them.

The ants like sunny, south-facing slopes, but the nest they share with the tiny, blind wood lice has become overgrown with trees and scrub.

Now Durham Wildlife Trust volunteers have moved in to clear the council-owned land to keep the ants sun-kissed and happy - thus ensuring they continue to produce the wood lice's food.

Durham City Council's principal design and conservation officer, Tracey Ingle, said: "While this is not one of Durham's most endearing species, it is certainly one of the rarest.

"We have been working with the Durham Wildlife Trust to manage the site and ensure the continued existence of this rare insect."

Terry Coult, the trust's conservation manager, said: "The wood louse is rarely seen in Britain and our work will ensure the region has helped to conserve this species.

"This work will take around a month to complete, after which the ants and the lice should continue to live on the site."