It has been a month since Bill Oddie helped launch the Great Nut Hunt survey but help is still needed to save the hazel dormouse from extinction.

So far, our Chief Nutter has received dozens of nuts from around the country but, with the survey continuing until March 2002, we are still asking people to go out and search for dormouse-nibbled hazelnuts.

Celebrated in Alice In Wonderland, the hazel dormouse is now one of Britain's rarest animals and research suggests they have disappeared from more than half their range because of the loss of ancient woodlands and hedgerows.

This is a sad statistic but it is something we can all help to change.

Going out nut-hunting is great fun and something you can do with the whole family on a Sunday afternoon, or even just when you are out walking the dog.

If you fancy turning detective and are interested in taking part in the survey, please call Mammals Trust UK on 020 7498 5262 for an info pack or check out the web site at greatnuthunt.org.uk

-Natascha Bowett, Mammals Trust UK, 15 Cloisters House, 8 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BG