Following the Review's front page story about adders being taken from a Forest beauty spot, the people who were reported have come forward to police.

A police spokesman said: "They explained that they were photographing the adders and not attempting to take them away. We were satisfied this was the case but gave them words of advice that no one should handle adders as they are protected. 

"We do not believe any adders are being stolen to order in the Forest but if anyone witnesses such an

incident then we would urge them to call us on

0845 090 1234. We have dedicated wildlife officers and take reports like this very seriously."