THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised to help protect great crested newts. South Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White Horse District Councils have helped raised over £240,000 for great crested newts habitats. The funds have been raised over three years as part of a conservation scheme to protect the news which are a European protected species. These funds will help create ponds for the newts but also will help ensure that there is enough funding to monitor and manage newt habitats over the next 25 years. Councillor Anne-Marie Simpson, South Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “One of our corporate priorities is protecting and restoring our natural world.