NORTH West Water are giving a colony of protected newts the VIP treatment.

They have erected 500 metres of special fencing to protect the newts during a £1.5m facelift project at Golborne's Lightshaw water treatment works.

While demolishing disused process tanks NNW has promised to avoid harming the great crested newts living around the plant.

So far 17 of the tiny creatures have been found by Stewart Holt (pictured), a licensed newt handler from English Nature.

He searched on his hands and knees inside the perimeter and took them to safety outside the newt exclusion zone, along with other species he found.

Worn out equipment will be replaced and new automation processes installed.

Lightshaw supplies 34 megalitres daily to about 35,000 customers in Leigh, Wigan and part of Warrington.

For a short time the works will close and customers will be supplied from alternative sources.

The job is due to end next April.

Project manager, Phil Bellis, said: "This is one of North West Water's many investments to maintain and improve its treatment works while protecting the environment."

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