A GRADUATE has landed an unusual role as a North-East's town's first great-crested newt supremo.

Rachel Jackson, who completed a Higher National Diploma in animal management, will work for a year as great-crested newt officer.

Durham Wildlife Trust has created the role in Darlington in order to carry out a survey of the creatures.

Miss Jackson's work will focus on mapping habitats and carrying out surveys in ponds and other wetland areas.

The project, funded by Darlington Borough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, will also teach school and adult groups about the species.

The species flourishes in Darlington because of its clay soil and abundance of wetland sites.

Miss Jackson, who as a child helped the Lanchester Wildlife Group build Malton nature reserve, said surveys carried out between 1967 and last year showed there were 30 different sites in the town.

Miss Jackson said: "Darlington is quite a stronghold for them. While they are here we want to keep them to make up for areas where there are few of them."

Countryside officer Rob George said: "They are only hanging on by the skin of their teeth."

Miss Jackson can be contacted on 01325-388193.

The trust is also hosting a stall in South Park on Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.