Even just 10 years ago, the red squirrel was a common sight in our woodlands, parks and gardens. This much-loved little creature was an integral part of our landscape.

Its habitat has been diminished and fragmented and it faces additional threats from the introduced grey squirrel. Grey squirrels carry the squirrel pox virus, a deadly disease with no cure. Grey squirrels do not suffer from any symptoms of this disease but it is fatal to red squirrels and can wipe out entire colonies. In 2008, a squirrel pox outbreak wiped out 80% of the red squirrel population on the Sefton Coast.

Grey squirrels also out-compete reds for resources and strip trees of nuts before they are ripe enough for reds to digest, leaving them to starve.

With your help we can save the red squirrel from extinction

The red squirrel is facing a struggle for survival, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is leading the fight to save our native red squirrel in the North West of England with the Red Squirrel Project.

We need your help in saving the last red squirrels in Lancashire and Merseyside, especially in and around Formby.

Click here to find out more about how you can can make a difference in the battle to save this wonderful creature.