WHY did the toads cross the road? To get to their breeding ground, of course!

Volunteers in Sherfield-on-Loddon are helping thousands of male and female toads cross Wildmoor Lane to reach a pond that has been their breeding ground for generations.

The Loddon Toad Society spends several weeks every year helping the common toad, as well as frogs and newts, avoid the perils of traffic by carrying them across the road in buckets.

Jackie Riley, who organised this year's volunteers, said: "We have the biggest toad migration in southern England.

"It used to be about 8,000 a year but numbers went down after the golf club was built. Now we are trying to get the numbers back up.

"Some people drive fast along the road and one four-wheel-drive car can massacre hundreds of toads.

"We do not want them to disappear. The toads were here first and it is really important to protect Sherfield-on-Loddon's wildlife."

The annual migration, which usually starts in January, has been delayed this year because of the continuing cold weather, and the society is looking for volunteers of all ages who can spare an hour or two after dusk to help out.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Tony Riley during the day on 01256 771223 or Jackie Riley in the evenings on 01256 882764.

Anyone who is too late to help out this year can leave their details to be contacted to volunteer during next year's migration.

First published: Thursday, April 13, 2006