A colony of rare newts is being moved to make way for a housing development near Haywards Heath.

The great crested newts live around rapidly-expanding Bolnore Village and will have to be collected before the first brick is laid.

Once the work is completed the newts, which are about 9in long with bright orange bellies and black spots, can be put back.

A spokeswoman for the developers Crest Nicholson said: "They are not being moved off the site. It is just moving them to a safer place so they don't get squashed.

"There are a lot of small ponds on the site and they are going to be put back so they will not be disturbed again."

She said the developer had spent time ensuring the environment and wildlife, including bats, snakes and birds, near the village were safeguarded.

Alf Simpson, of the Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group, said: "They are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"You are going to lose one or two because they don't like moving but provided the habitat is right it is going to work."

Some houses have already been built and plans for the second phase, initially involving 87 properties, are expected to be given approval tomorrow at a meeting of Mid Sussex central area planning committee.