A SERIES of drop-in events is being held across West Somerset for residents and land owners to learn more about plans to reintroduce pine martens to Exmoor.

About 20 of the animals are due to be released in the autumn in secret Exmoor locations following the success of a similar translocation on Dartmoor last September.

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is using more than £1 million of National Lottery Heritage Fund money to lead the project, which is supported by Exmoor National Park Authority.

DWT field officer Ali North has been engaging with local people for the past few weeks and has organised drop-in sessions in the Rest and Be Thankful Inn, Wheddon Cross, on February 19 and March 5 and 21, the Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, on February 25, in Dulverton’s public library on March 14, and in South Molton Library on February 28.

The events will include a 15-minute update on the project and allow time for people to discuss it and raise any issues with different members of the DWT team.

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is working in partnership with the national park authorities for both Dartmoor and Exmoor, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Forestry England, the National Trust, and the Woodland Trust.

Ms North said: “Are you a landowner or land manager in or around Exmoor and want to learn more about living alongside pine martens?

“Drop by to discuss the opportunities and challenges and the support we can provide.”

Pine martens, which are members of the weasel family, grow to about two feet long and a weight of about three-and-a-half pounds.

Their fur is a smooth chocolate-coloured coat with a creamy-orange bib.

They are a critically endangered species and lived on Exmoor until the late 1800s but went extinct due to the loss of woodland habitat and because of hunting.