AN environmental scheme has been launched in a business park to protect a rare newt species.

The £100,000 project will include a raft of measures to help the great crested newt at Faverdale Whin, near Faver-dale East Business Park.

English Nature came up with the plan to prevent any damage to its habitat at the greenfield development.

The species is found in several locations in Darlington because its heavy clay soils create wetland areas.

Environmentalists have helped retain and create the habitats needed to protect the newt.

Developers at the business park had to plant tree species including beech, oak, hornbeam, field maple and lime.

The aim of the measures is to ensure existing landscaping is not lost, and to enhance the area's ecological value.

Partners involved in the scheme are Darlington Borough Council, contractor Hellens, architects TGP and Parsons Brinkerhoff and the E3 Partnership.

Funding came from the European Regeneration Development Fund, Tees Valley Partnership and Darlington Borough Council.

Councillor David Lyonette, cabinet member for economic regeneration and planning, said: "The existing landscaping has been strengthened by this new planting, which has made a green corridor, linking land to the south of the site, Faverdale Whin and woodland and open countryside to the north.

"It is vitally important that the habitats of these great crested newts are protected and enhanced, so I am very pleased to see that this excellent business development will benefit this rare, protected species."