AN animal which was wiped out from the Wyedean more than a century ago is moving a step closer to making a comeback.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) is currently holding a series of community consultation roadshow events in the region, following a ground-breaking study this year into whether pine martens could be reintroduced here.

Experts want people to have their say on how they would like to be involved if up to 60 animals are released.

They can also fill in an online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/missionpinemarten which will be open until midnight, December 31.

Dr Andrew Stringer, pine marten project manager, said: “Pine martens are a native species that were almost wiped out in Victorian times, and they play a really important part in restoring ecological balance.

“They are also a joy to watch, encourage people into nature and could bring more tourists to the area. We’re asking local people how they’d like to be involved with a potential reintroduction.

“There are lots of different ways, such as den-box building, radio tracking, photography, and population monitoring. We’re keen for new ideas too.”

Pine martens used to be common, but were wiped out from much of England and Wales and are now one of Britain’s rarest mammals. The last recorded Gloucestershire sighting was in 1915.

GWT, the Vincent Wildlife Trust and Forestry Commission England, supported by Forest Holidays and the Woodland Trust, are now considering reintroducing the animal to the Forest and lower Wye Valley.

A detailed two-year feasibility study has shown that the region has “abundant suitable habitat for pine martens”.

A series of public meetings and online and on-street public opinion surveys has so far shown 71 per cent of people in favour of reintroduction, 26 per cent undecided, and 3 per cent opposed.

Pine martens can control grey squirrels, which are known to cause a range of problems, and in Scotland and Ireland this has helped red squirrels recover, says GWT.

Their main prey is small mammals, but they have a broad and varied diet, such as eating berries in the autumn.

To have a say, the roadshow will be at the Cinderford Christmas lights switch-on from 4pm this Saturday (December 1), Newent Market Place on Saturday, December 8 from 10am to 2pm, and the GWT Forest of Dean group meeting on Friday, December 14, at 7.30pm at the Catholic church in Cinder Hill, Coleford.

Community feedback will help support a Heritage Lottery funding bid next year. Further details about the project are available at www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk