WILDLIFE workers are asking people in Sunderland to help save endangered animals living in the city's waterways.

The country's water vole population is declining faster than any other mammal in Britain and could face extinction within the next five years.

But a survey of Sunderland's streams and rivers between May and October last year revealed that voles can still be found in five areas of Sunderland, with colonies around the River Don and its tributaries, and near Washington, Silksworth, Hetton-le-Hole and Houghton-le-Spring.

The City of Sunderland Council's countryside team is asking people to report any sightings of water voles and the council has joined Durham Wildlife Trust to promote the protection of the riverbank environments where the animals live.

Habitats are being protected to provide plants for the voles to feed on and extra efforts are being made to ensure the waterways stay clean.

Countryside officer Claire Dawson said: "Sunderland is one of the last bastions for the water vole within the River Wear corridor."