HUNDREDS of newts rescued from developer's bulldozers have now been offered new homes following an appeal in the Daily Echo.

Dozens of people offered their garden ponds for the 300 rare amphibians after an appeal for help in Saturday's newspaper.

They were saved by caring councillor Jack Englefield from land in Station Road, Park Gate that is being developed for a flat complex.

He said: "The response we have had is absolutely brilliant. These newts were on the brink but now they can live out their lives in safety."

Roger Morgan of Portchester said: "I saw the article and immediately thought my garden pond could be of use.

"I think what Cllr Englefield has done is great, these poor creatures could be dead by now is it wasn't for him."

The Fareham borough councillor leapt into action when he was told newts had been spotted in an old garden pond that was soon due to be filled in by bulldozers.

In a tiring three-day operation he caught 300 of the creatures - including both common and primate newts - in a net and ferried them to a temporary pond in his back garden.

He has slammed council planning chiefs for not discovering that the newts lived on the land before planning permission was granted and resigned from the planning committee in disgust.

He said: "I want to see the rules changed so that environmental surveys are carried out by the council on all land that is going to be developed.

"One of the digger drivers told me that he just shuts his eyes and fills these ponds in, if he didn't he said he wouldn't be able to sleep at night."

A council spokesman said: "There are obligations on the developers to look after wildlife."