Chester Zoo staff will jump to it on New Year's Eve to highlight the plight of frogs worldwide.

Zoos across the world will unite at 11am on December 31 for a giant, simultaneous leapfrog.

2008 has been declared the Year of the Frog to raise awareness of a looming, mass extinction of amphibian species - the most significant since the dinosaur.

The leap frog event will mark the launch of the campaign.

One-third to one-half of all amphibian species are in danger of disappearing in our lifetime. Amphibian Ark is a campaign supported by zoos to rescue the most endangered 500 species that cannot be saved in the wild.

It is the most urgent component of a comprehensive effort to protect the future for amphibians, and is supported by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC) Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) of which Chester Zoo's Director General Gordon McGregor Reid is President.

Year of the Frog will raise awareness of the problems facing amphibians and help with fundraising for the Amphibian Ark project.

Leapfrog events will be held across the globe and Chester Zoo staff will show their support with a little jumping around.

Liz Child, Head of Visitor Services, is co-ordinating Chester's event and is getting in some practice before the big day.

She said: "It's been a while since I attempted a leapfrog but I was determined to get some practice in seeing as this is such a good cause.

"It is fantastic that so many zoos throughout Europe and indeed the world will stop for a just a few minutes and show their support for amphibians.

"This is a fun way of bringing home some very serious messages about the future many amphibian species face and a great launch pad for Year of the Frog. We are proud to be a part of it."

Chester Zoo's leapfrog will be held inside the main entrance at 11am.