EVERYONE needs a hand now and then, especially when you are small and trying to cross a narrow country road at night. 

Ever since a lake was created in a valley when a small stream was dammed, toads have been crossing the road not far from Woodland Head near Yeoford to get to the lake to breed. 

This year was no exception.  A neighbour living along the road has been keeping an eye on the toads each year, this year helped by a new sign funded by R and M Utilities of Exeter. 

The toads begin crossing the road when the nights begin to warm.  “Temperature is critical,” said the man with a mission to look after the little creatures. 

“So far, mid-February, I have helped 600 across the road but sadly one evening more than 15 were squashed by vehicles.  

“I have been doing patrols on the warmer nights for almost three weeks.  Last year on one evening, Valentine’s Night, I moved 350 toads along.  

“I go out shortly after dusk and two or three more times in the early evening.  A few frogs go across as well, coming from the woods and fields to go back to where they were once tadpoles.

“A family did join me last evening and we gathered some 46 more of the beasties. (The total for the night was 113).

“The two little boys were so excited and now want to get their chums involved. I think though we could be getting towards the end of ‘the season’. Their mother is now going to start lobbying the Council to close the road during this period!

He added that the signs were put up to remind drivers to be careful and, best of all, to avoid that road for a while.