A POPULAR breeding ground for frogs that was in danger of vanishing has been saved in time for the spring mating season.

The ancient pond at Cromer's Wood, off Broadoak Road, Woodstock, near Sittingbourne Research Centre, has been a habitat for frogs, toads, newts and rare birds.

Kent Wildlife Trust, which manages the nature reserve, teamed up with Mid Kent Water to complete the conservation project by filling the pond with water.

Ark Wingrove, the water company's production manager, said the pond had been completeley dry and the base was cracking. He added: "Now we have to keep our fingers crossed and wait for the spring to see whether the frogs will return in the same numbers."

The pond is surrounded by trees and over time falling leaves created a layer of organic sludg on the base. Kent Wildlife Trust scraped out the sludge and coppiced trees to prevent leaves falling in.

Dave Hutton, the trust's reserves manager for West Kent, said: "The frogs will start coming back in February and March to breed so it was quite important to complete the work before then. The pond also attracts a large variety of birds throughout the year, including sparrowhawks, mandarin ducks and moorhens, so it is a special wildlife habitat."

The 70 acres of ancient woodland is open to the public. Kent Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers are opening up glades and widening paths for the benefits of both wildlife and visitors. Coppicing is also used to increase the variety of wildlife habitats.