DORMICE in Suffolk have been given a helping hand by volunteers from a power firm.

Staff from UK Power Networks braved the cold and wet to spend a day planting hedges in woodland next to Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve, near Bury St Edmunds.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is working to link nearby ancient woods with the nature reserve to expand dormouse habitat by creating a 500metre corridor of hedgerows and trees as part of a long-term conservation project.

Sixteen staff from the Health, Safety and Sustainability department of UK Power Networks planted the hedges and shrubs.