Beavers have returned to a west Dorset estate for the first time since their extinction in Britain some four centuries ago.

A pair of adult beavers have been relocated to Mapperton Estate, in Beaminster, from Scotland as part of the Mapperton Wildlands project.

The beavers - a 15kg male and 20kg female - were brought down to Mapperton last week from the Tay river.

They'll live in an eight-acre woodland enclosure near to Mapperton House - funded by a grant from Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) and Natural England.

Before their arrival, Mapperton’s Ranger/Keeper Ben Padwick was busy building a lodge for the new arrivals as well as constructing the beginnings of dams in the stream.

The beavers soon made themselves at home and enjoyed a feast of apples upon settling in.

Ben Padwick said: “It's been very exciting preparing for the beavers to arrive.

"I have been busy clearing the old pheasant pen, creating dams, and even building them a home - and we are delighted to see them using it."

“We are looking forward to seeing their positive impact on the landscape and to giving guided tours around the enclosure to members of the public.

“It's an incredible achievement for all the team and everyone involved with the project. Releasing a keystone species back here at Mapperton Wildlands is a huge milestone for us, especially as they have been absent from the landscape for such a long time.”

Beavers are a native British species which were hunted to extinction around 400 years ago.

Mapperton House is home to Luke and Julie Montagu, Viscount and Viscountess Hinchingbrooke.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke said: “The arrival of beavers is a major milestone for our rewilding project Mapperton Wildlands. They are such impressive animals and within a few days have already got to work building dams and creating new wetland.

“And while we recognise that they can cause problems when not properly managed, our beavers are safely contained in a well-constructed enclosure.

“We really look forward to inviting visitors to come and see the positive impact they will have on the landscape over the coming months and years.”

Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Restoration Manager at Beaver Trust added: “We’re delighted to support the Mapperton Estate in their rewilding ventures and particularly to see the beavers settling in well, in this first translocation of the season.

“As the species’ restoration efforts continue, we hope to see beavers accepted back in the countryside like any other native wild species, particularly as they have a positive and important role to play in nature’s recovery and British wildlife resilience.”

The next guided tour of Mapperton Wildlands - including the beaver enclosure - will take place on Sunday, October 2.

For more details visit mappertonwildlands.com