Animal conservationists are getting help from Wimbledon to stop it becoming "game, set and match" for Britain's smallest mammal.

Some of the 36,000 tennis balls used at the world-famous tournament are to be recycled as homes for harvest mice.

It is hoped they will help protect the endangered species from their many predators.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club is donating the balls to help the scheme being run by The Wildlife Trust in Avon, Glamorgan and Northumberland.

Threatened habitats

Harvest mice weigh only six grams when adult - around the same as a 20p piece. The mice normally weave their homes out of shredded grass and reeds part way up tall stalks.



