Forget Newcastle - this is Newt-castle!

A colony of endangered great crested newts has set up home on a major new housing development in the city.

Up to 100 of the rare creatures are thought to be living on the edges of Newcastle Great Park.

And ecologists hope creating more ponds and hedgerows will boost the declining population that is nearly extinct in some parts of Europe.

The great crested newt is the largest newt native to the UK, and can grow up to 17cm and live for up to 27 years.

They thrive best in damp areas with hidey-holes like ponds and allotments but as these areas are taken away for housing and development, newt numbers are shrinking.

To help reverse this trend, ecologists are redesigning parts of the 1,200-acre estate to create suitable habitats.

More ponds are being put in and hedgerows planted to create better breeding and living conditions for the newts.

Ecologist Dr Tony Martin said: "We're lucky enough to have a rare species native to the area, so it's of prime importance that we protect these creatures.

"Although the North East has always had a good population of newts, in some places in Europe the creatures are nearly extinct. The strategies in place such as those at Newcastle Great Park are going to maintain and protect the great crested newt.

"At the moment they're tending to breed in a nearby nature reserve where there are more pond areas, but the adults live on land, so they move into the park after breeding. By creating a better breeding environment, we will substantially increase the number of newts in the area."

The project is being backed by English Nature and conservation officer Nick Brodin said: "We welcome measures to improve newts' habitats.

"The wetlands round the existing ponds and enhancement of the area to create new habitats will certainly help the newts."