THE Peak District is brimming with nature and wildlife. As well as the ordinary, it also has the extraordinary. If you thought "La-la, Po, Dipsey and Tinky Winky" had strange tummies then cop a load of this!!

Uh-Oh!

Some of the brightest orange bellies you're ever likely to come across, can be found in the Peak District. These "sunny" tummies belong to the Greater Crested Newts who live in the Park's Dew ponds...

However

...These "bright bellies" are faced with a dark future as they march down the path to possible extinction. There aren't many of these quirky creatures left in the country, but of those that remain a large number live in the Peak District.

At present the newts' "Dew pond" homes are disappearing fast - caving in or filling up - leaving these unusual creatures "out on the streets" and homeless.

Is there a tomorrow for the "greater crested" newts? Maybe...! Conservationists are working in partnership with farmers. They are trying to save and rebuild the homes of the newts, in an attempt to protect this slowly disappearing species. Last year a survey identified the key ponds and grants will be made available to help with maintenance. Who knows, the future could be bright for these orange bellied newts!