The tiny mammals have been reintroduced to woodland as part of national efforts to help the endangered species come back from the brink of extinction.

Conservationists have released 20 rare hazel dormice into a secret woodland location in Leicestershire to create the county’s only known population.

The tiny mammals were reintroduced this week to an undisclosed area of the Bradgate Park Trust estate by wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and its partners.

It comes as part of national efforts to help the endangered species come back from the brink of extinction.