A WILDLIFE trust is asking people in the North-East and Yorkshire to help save the endangered stag beetle.

The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has launched its annual survey, The Great Stag Hunt, and want people to help out by taking six evening walks in June and July while counting the number of stag beetles they see.

In 2017, the majority of verified stag beetle records were made in southern counties such as Surrey, Hampshire and Greater London. There were no results recorded for Darlington, Durham and Yorkshire, so this year the trust is keen for these regions to take part.

Laura Bower, Conservation Officer at PTES, said: “Loss of habitat and lack of dead or decaying wood are just two of the reasons why stag beetles need our help."

British stag beetles are usually found in gardens, parks and woodland areas. Male stag beetles reach up to 7.5cm and are identified by their familiar pincer-like jaws.

Alongside the survey, the trust is also asking people to make part of their garden into a stag beetle haven, by creating a log pile for them to feed and lay their eggs.

The results recorded by the public will contribute towards The Great Stag Hunt survey as well as a larger study, the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network.

More information about how to take part in the survey and about finding stag beetles can be seen at ptes.org/stagbeetles and stagbeetlemonitoring.org