RED squirrels have been given a fighting chance to boost their population numbers thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The Westmorland Red Squirrel Society has been given £49,900 to pay for two part-time contractors in an exciting two-year project.

The group focuses on conserving and strengthening the remaining red squirrel population in the Grizedale Forest area so that the public and future generations can continue to enjoy them. Help is needed thr-oughout the area for sending sightings of red squirrels, monitoring, organisation and active grey control to the project network.

This will be the first time that a red squirrel project led by volunteers from the local community will include a working partnership between the Forestry Commission, the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Red Squirrels Northern England, Red Squirrel Survival Trust, landowners and members of the general public.

Cumbria is one of the last remaining strongholds for the native red squirrel. They have been displaced from most of England by the introduced American grey.

“We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project protecting our iconic red squirrel, which is such an important part of Cumbrian heritage,” said Jackie Foott, project co-ordinator.

“This offers an opportunity for everybody, local residents and visitors as well, to get involved in this important conservation work.”

Sara Hilton, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “This is Britain's only native squirrel and therefore an important part of our natural heritage.

“With HLF investment, the Westmorland Red Squirrel Society can work with people from across the local comm-unity to help preserve these important habitats and halt the decline in squirrel numbers.”

The Westmorland Red Squirrel Society is a group of volunteers sharing an interest in their conservation in the south Cumbria area.

The group's aim is to raise awareness of the threats to our native red squirrels, working with members, the local community and other organisations towards eliminating those threats. If you would like to get involved go to www.westmorlandredsquirrels.org.uk or call 015396 25453.