A CLA member in the South West is taking strides to improve the lot and increase the population of the red squirrel.

Robin Hanbury-Tenison OBE, DL, CLA member and President of the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project (CRSP) is asking for help to bring back red squirrels to Cornwall. When he went to Cornwall 51 years ago no grey squirrels had crossed the Tamar and there were red squirrels on his farm on Bodmin Moor. Within a very few years they had vanished. The last authenticated sighting of a red squirrel in Cornwall was in 1984, this appealing indigenous animal having been ousted by the more dominant alien invader the grey squirrel, which not only inflicts such damage on trees and gardens but also carries the fatal squirrel pox.

Inspired by the expert research of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST and see: www.rsst.org.uk) and the success of projects elsewhere in the UK and Scotland, the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project (CRSP) has been formed with the express purpose of reintroducing the red squirrel to The Lizard peninsula and West Penwith. Both areas are bounded by the sea on three sides. By creating a buffer zone from which all greys can be excluded, the population of greys within the project areas will be permanently eliminated. To achieve this the CRSP are about to appoint a full time ranger for three years, whose job will be to supervise the project, to enlist public support and practical volunteers, and to raise further funds to maintain the programme.

Only when greys have been removed will captive bred reds be introduced. The overall budget requirement for the three year programme is calculated to be £120,000. To get the project under way, we urgently need just 1000 people to give an average of £25 each for three years. A number of landowners have donated start up funds and the RSST has provided initial support, but now the time has come to appeal, both to the people of Cornwall and to all those who love Cornwall and come here for holidays, to contribute.

Robin Hanbury-Tenison is asking for help in supporting this exciting venture. Everyone who responds to this appeal will be recorded (unless they wish to remain anonymous) as a Founder Supporter. You don't have to commit to give for three years (although that makes a huge difference) and every little bit you can afford will be really helpful.

A MESSAGE FROM HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES (Royal Cornwall Show, June 2010)

'As Patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust it gives me great pleasure to support the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project. The importance of preserving Britain's reds cannot be overstated. They are one of the most charming and irresistible of British native mammals and are under ceaseless, pernicious attack by the relentless march of the imported greys which do such untold damage to newly-planted native hardwood trees all over the country.

I am so heartened to learn that the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project has joined in the fight to preserve the reds and I wish them every possible success.'

If you would like to help please will you do one of the following:

1. Send a cheque today made out to RSST (CRSP a/c) to: The Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Delta House, 175-177 Borough High Street, London SE1 1HR.

2. Ring The Red Squirrel Survival Trust on 020 7864 1444 and pay into the CRSP a/c by Credit Card.

3. Pay with a Just Giving Account.

4. Set up a Standing Order to RSST (Cornwall project).