THE fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians will be brought to life in a free talk.

The Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership has teamed up with Hartlepool Borough Council ecologist Ian Bond to help people identify the elusive creatures at large in County Durham and beyond.

Mr Bond, a member of the Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists’ Field Club, said: “The aim of the talk is to try and encourage people to get to know what species of amphibians and reptiles there are in County Durham, especially in the Teesdale area.

“We then hope they will record any sightings. I’ve been looking at the maps of where there have been official sightings and no-one in Barnard Castle has recorded seeing a single amphibian or reptile, not even a frog.

“We want to get a better picture of what reptiles and amphibians there are out there and hopefully learn a lot too.”

Creatures to be on the lookout for include common lizards, slow worms, frogs, toads, newts and adders, which are typically found on the fringes of moorland but have been spotted in Darlington and Eggleston, near Barnard Castle.

The talk, part of the Heart of Teesdale’s Landscape Discovery project, takes place in the Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, on Thursday, August 14 at 7pm.

Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Karen Collins on 03000-260-835 or karen.collins@durham.gov.uk.