Beaver family succeed in mission to prevent flooding in Essex village
A pair of beavers which were reintroduced to the Essex countryside have been helping to prevent flooding in the area.
Last year two beavers were brought to the Spains Hall Estate in Finchingfield as part of a pioneering trial to reduce flooding.
It was the first time since the middle ages that beavers had inhabited this part of the country, having previously been hunted to extinction.
And it seems that they have been doing their job brilliantly - since their arrival there have been no floods downstream in the village.
After their arrival, the pair of beavers soon became a family of four.
ITV News Anglia reporter Hannah Pettifer and cameraman Tom Steedman filmed at the compound where the beavers live over three nights to see them in action.
One night, just before dawn, they were rewarded with the sight of a baby - called a kit - swimming into view, shortly followed by its mum.
The mother takes a handful of mud and packs it onto the side of the lodge while the kit pulls a branch under water to take to the family's lodge for food.
Russell Savory is a wildlife photographer who's been filming the beavers since they first arrived.
The beavers feed on vegetation - Russell says they can make short work of a willow branch like this one.
Since the beavers were brought here as a trial to reduce flooding further downstream in Finchingfield they have built more than 20 dams which slow down the flow of water into the village. And the wetlands they've created release water during drier periods.
With the arrival of the kits, the beavers have now doubled their workforce - digging, building, repairing and perfecting their new family home.
Beavers are Britain's largest rodent and belong to the same group as rats, mice and voles.
Beavers live with their family, usually around five individuals which includes adults, kit and yearlings.
Beavers sleep throughout the day, preferring to come out during sunrise and sunset.
Source: The Wildlife Trusts
Rewilding Britain supports the reintroduction of beavers
More about beavers from the Woodland Trust