A group of volunteers are calling for more help as they take to busy roads in Ringwood once again and carry toads across busy roads for hours each day.

While carrying frogs across the road may not sound like a common thing to do, the Ringwood and Poulner Toad Patrol has saved 'precious lives' for the last 36 years.

Toads find themselves migrating every year in January as they look to lay their eggs near water.

Those living in Ringwood have to tackle a particularly difficult route, crawling down from wooded hills above Blashford Lakes to find a mate and breed, and hitting busy roads like Salisbury Road on the edge of town.

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The Ringwood and Poulner Toad Patrol therefore say they have an essential job – carrying the toads across the road so they can continue their travels down to the water’s edge.

The volunteers are registered with the wildlife charity Froglife and take turns to drive slowly down roads from dusk until 11pm.

They travel from the North Poulner crossroads to the Moyles Court ford below Rockford Common, jumping out whenever they see a toad on the road to take it back into the woods.

“Toads are choosy,” said Nicola Yorke, who runs the patrol.

“They only move when it’s warm enough, five degrees and above. The particular route we look after on the edge of Ringwood next to Blashford Lakes can be especially dangerous as they risk being killed under the wheels of cars and vans.

“We’d also be really grateful if drivers slowed down, remained patient and kept an eye out for the toads.”

The patrol is appealing for more volunteers, as by early Spring, toads have laid their eggs and make the return journey back across the cars again.

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Nicola also fears that climate change is making their job more difficult.

She said: “Loss of habitat and changing weather patterns are affecting toad populations badly.

"Toads love wet nights but they’ll also cross when it’s not raining, particularly early in the season when they’re keen to get down to the water.

“And with toad numbers falling, we need to carry on helping them to stay safe, which is why we need more volunteers to join our friendly, inclusive group.”

The patrol operates every week for three months between mid January and mid March and you can email rptoadpatrol1@gmail.com to get involved.