Crook hotel temps US with squirrel canapes (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Crook hotel temps US with squirrel canapes

4:03pm Saturday 12th January 2008 in Cumbria news By Gazette News Room

A lake District hotel is to make its debut on American television later this year after tempting US film-makers across the Atlantic with its gourmet grey squirrel canapés.

The Famous Wild Boar Hotel, at Crook, near Windermere, hit the national headlines in October by introducing Peking duck' style squirrel pancakes to its restaurant menu.

The controversial canapé is now generating international media interest and US film-maker Nick Berger and his team spent two nights at the hotel last week as part of the documentary for PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), America's equivalent to the BBC.

The programme, entitled Nutkin's Last Stand, seeks to uncover the rift between the native red squirrel and its US cousin, and takes a fresh look at how the British are taking action to ensure the national icon is not driven to extinction by the greys.

For full story see the January 11 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.