A wildlife group is seeking volunteers to help raise awareness of migrating toads and amphibians which often face being killed on busy Kent roads.

Volunteers are needed by Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG) to take part in toad patrols.

Patrol volunteer Kari McSherry said: “All around the country toads and other amphibians such as frogs and newts are waking up and migrating from their cosy winter burrows in the woods to bodies of fresh water to breed.

“On their perilous journey they have to cross roads and unfortunately the toads are active as the sun sets, which is around the time everyone is rushing home from work or college in their cars, and a damaging percentage of these amphibians are killed.”

She said between the end of February and the beginning of April the roads are carpeted in dead toads who haven’t made their important breeding journey and this among other factors has seen a decline in the population.

She said: “The patrols last about an hour and a half and start from sunset. It’s really to try to lessen the damage done by rush-hour traffic.

“Patrollers walk round a designated route in pairs starting at about 5.30pm but it gets later as the weeks go by.

“I can’t describe what a wonderful sight a full pond of breeding toads and frogs is. They sing, chirp and croak with joy.

“They are beautiful, gentle creatures and without a doubt deserve to be helped in their time of need.

“What has touched me the most about these toad patrols is the community spirit and passion for looking after another species.

“We have met some very kind and gentle humans over the past few years we have been helping KRAG with these patrols and we wish to continue to educate people on how important it is to conserve your surrounding environment and biodiversity.”

She urged anyone interested in helping out to visit www.froglife.org/ to find a co-ordinator for the area or email her at kariandharry@hotmail.co.uk