AROUND 50 volunteers of all ages made their way to Woolmer Forest for the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) group’s Natterjack Scrub Bash.

They worked to clear a piece of heathland on the firing ranges, which ARC manages on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

It was reportedly being “invaded” by Scots pine and birch saplings and was “in danger of losing the open habitat the rare natterjack toads need”.

This year the natterjack toads had their second best year since ARC’s records began and produced 96 spawn strings.

*The event will take place again in September 2020. To find out more go to arc-trust.org .