Ponds created to protect reservoir's newts

Great crested newts can be recognised by their orange bellies, tucked under their otherwise all-black appearance

Four ponds have been created at a beauty spot to support its great crested newt population.

The habitats were built by Froglife Ecological Services at Hanningfield Reservoir, near Billericay.

Essex and Suffolk Water said the amphibians, which typically live for up to 15 years, were of "international importance".

The ponds would remain in place for the next 25 years, the reservoir owners added.

Four new ponds have been created by Froglife Ecological Services at the Essex reservoir

Great crested newts are black with orange bellies and breed in ponds during the spring.

They spend most of their lives feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows, marshes and grassland.

Charlotte Bradley, conservation advisor at Essex and Suffolk Water, said: "As a protected species, great crested newts are of international importance and we're very lucky to have them here in Essex."