Habitat loss is regarded as the main reason for the dramatic decline in numbers of great crested newts across Scotland, and the wider UK, from the mid 20th Century onwards.

The iconic amphibians are now heavily protected with it being a criminal offence to harm them, their eggs, or their habitats.

Borders-based charity Bright Green Nature (BGN) carried out studies on sites near Selkirk in 2022, and established former wetlands in and around the Haining estate could be restored to provide perfect amphibian habitats.