Newt identification

[empond]

I decided to clear out my pond today - it was really overgrown and came across this lovely little creature - what sort of newt is it?

Thanks to anyone whom can help

[welsh.lensman]

Hi empond and welcome to WAB, It looks like the Great crested newt to me, but I could be wrong.
I'm sure someone with more knowledge of Amphibians will be able to answer your question with more certainty.

[diggleken]

It looks like common or smooth newt - there are no palmate hind legs and it doesnt look wartyish enough for great crested.
If it is great crested, you cannot handle or disturb these without a licence, be warned!
To compare common and palmates, look under the throat, palmates tend not to be orange there, just the rest of the belly, wheras commons tend to have the orangeness continue.
Palmate males in breeding time are palmate on the hind webs of the feet, like a palm!
hope this helps a little.
Cheers
Ken

[empond]

Thank you for your ideas - I'm pleased to have it whatever sort of newt it is! I wonder if anyone knows of a good book about newts / amphibians etc as I really want to improve my knowledge and identification skills.