Border Red squirrels

The number of red squirrels in Cumbria have risen for the third year in a row.

Two months of surveying work, carried out over two months, found the allusive animal in 300 different woodlands and gardens.

The findings come from the fourth monitoring project in two years by the Red Squirrels Northern England.

Red squirrels have been facing an uncertain future for many years, but now it seems they might be enjoying a small reversal in fortunes.

A recent survey shows a slight increase in the number of reds and a fall in the number of greys across south Scotland.

As Katie Hunter reports there has also been a rise in red squirrel sightings:

Conservationists say they are encouraged by increased red squirrel sightings in Dumfries and Galloway.

The animals have been under threat following outbreaks of squirrel pox and increased competition for food from their grey cousins.

A scheme to trap grey squirrels in Grizedale Forest is entering it's second year. The aim is to reclaim the area as a habitat for the native red species.

Sightings of red squirrels are now being reported in parts of Cumbria where they have not been seen for decades.

Ryan Dollard reports:

Mike Thornley is a Red Squirrel Officer, he said:

"Trapping grey squirrels and taking them out of habitats is the only way to give red squirrels a future.

"The species cannot co-exist and if we don't clear habitats for them then our native squirrels will die out."

The project is hoping to map red and grey squirrel populations over the coming years by putting up feeding stations linked to automatic cameras.

The data will help assess how effectively the conservation scheme is working.