A WILDLIFE project, which aims to protect one of Britain's rare native species, has been given a £3,500 boost from a quarry company.

Durham Wildlife Trust's project to safeguard the great-crested newt in the Darlington area, received the money from Lafarge Aggregates, which has a quarry in Ferryhill.

The trust is working with Darlington Borough Council to map the newts in order to find out the locations of their habitats, so they can be protected.

The wildlife group is also visiting schools to educate children about conserving rare species.

The mapping programme started six months ago and will continue until February. The education project will continue until 2009.

As well as the grant, the project is being funded by a £50,000 heritage lottery grant and a £10,000 contribution from Darlington Borough Council.

The money from the aggrigates company has come from the landfill communities fund, which has given grants to 13 other projects in the country.

Andi Hodgson, the company's communications manager said: "We're delighted to be supporting such worthwhile projects."