FEW of us will have ever been lucky enough to have ever seen a dormouse - but efforts to improve the hedgerows along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal may help make the minute, endangered mammal a more common sight.

The Canal and River Trust, guardians of the canal, has been carrying out a survey of the country's hedgerows, which have declined by 50 per cent since the Second World War.

Some 350km of waterways in Yorkshire and the North East have been surveyed by volunteers looking at the condition of the hedgerows, what they can offer to wildlife and how they can improved.

Hedgerows are the natural habitat for dormice, which are excellent climbers and spend little time on the ground - making breaks in hedges dangerous for them.

Following the good summer, dormice are expected to have faired well - making it vitally important that the hedgerows are in as good a condition as possible.

“Our waterside hedgerows act like nature’s highways and have the potential to allow species like dormice safe routes to travel, collect food and find shelter to help them survive," said Stuart Moodie, senior ecologist for the Canal and River Trust.

"The greatest threat to dormice is the winter and our hedgerows can provide them with essential shelter to hibernate. "We’re so pleased that our survey has shown that over half of our hedgerows are in good condition, but is also means of course that the other half needs attention."

He added: “Species-rich hedgerows are our oldest established habitat so it’s important we monitor and improve them and provide connectivity with other canal side habitats."

He said dormice sightings were very rare.

"Throughout the winter we’ll embark on a programme to reinvigorate sections of hedgerow, running hedge laying and planting days and make sure we’re doing what we can to provide improved and essential habitat.”

The survey, made possible by £50,000 funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery, has revealed where gaps can be filled and where hedgerows can be extended to connect with other important habitats in a bid to support dormice and a range of other at risk species.

Wildlife such as dormice will make their homes in hedgerows, scrub habitats and old coppice woodland living mainly on their favourite food, hazelnuts.

They are now building up their fat reserves in order to reach a critical weight to make it through the winter hibernation.

Ian White, dormouse officer for the People’s Trust for Endangered Species said the mammals were a rare and declining species.

"It is also likely that their range is contracting due to poor management of their woodland home and because woods are becoming more isolated," he said.

"Projects such as this that improve hedgerow quality and connectivity will help stop the decline of our native dormice and will also benefit many other animals.”

Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Hedgerows are a heritage landmark so it’s great that players of People’s Postcode Lottery can help this waterside project and restore them to their former glory.”

Alongside the survey, the Trust has put together a 28-page spotters’ guide to help people identify many of the animals and plants that live on canals and rivers in Yorkshire. Text WATCH to 70060 to get a free Nature Watch Guide.

Dormouse facts:

l The Dormouse takes its name from the Anglo-Norman word ‘dormeus’ meaning ‘sleepy one’ – a reference to its long hibernation.

I Dormice are excellent climbers and avoid spending too much time on the ground, which is why breaks in hedgerows are so dangerous for them.

I The only native species of Dormouse in Britain is the Hazel (or Common) Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), but globally there are many different species, including the Edible Dormouse, prized by Roman gastronomes.

I Dormice are omnivorous and eat nuts, berries, flowers and insects.