New effort to save red squirrels

Volunteers in southern Scotland are inviting people to take part in Red Squirrel Week, which begins today. The species is under threat from a fatal virus, squirrelpox, which is carried by grey squirrels.

Two organisations have joined forces to try to save the red population. The new project will work strategically to detect and contain outbreaks of the virus, and try to halt the spread of grey squirrels north to the Central Belt.

It'll also work with colleagues in the North of England to control the grey squirrel population.