A DORMICE group has received a funding boost from Barclays Bank to buy a hand-held global positioning system.
The system will be used to record the position of nest boxes at Belfairs Nature Reserve, Leigh.
Early last year, 28 nest boxes were installed in the reserve to encourage more dormice to move in. Volunteers were delighted when it emerged 22 boxes showed signs of being used.
A total of 22 dormice were recorded during monitoring of the boxes during 2006.
Early this year, the total number of nest boxes was increased from 28 to 60, and monitoring has shown some of the new ones are already being used.
David Garston, council cabinet member for culture, said: "The Southend Dormouse Group continues to go from strength to strength.
"I would like to thank Barclays Bank for their support of this rare species.
"The GPS technology will be used to record the position of nest boxes, and help with future monitoring of dormice on other land owned by the council."
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