APPLEBY Railway Station is working to make red squirrels even more welcome in the town.

This follows passengers capturing the rare, endangered native species running along the platform.

As part of a green initiative to support wildlife along the line, the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company has joined forces with community charity Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group to install nesting, feeding boxes, and an information board.

The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company is working to create a green corridor to help improve biodiversity and wildlife along the 70 miles of the community line.

Vice-chair of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, John Moorhouse said: “We are keen to help encourage wildlife and improve the environments around the stations along the line, and when we saw the videos of red squirrels on our platform at Appleby Station, we wanted to do everything we could to support.

“Working with Gary Murphy, the Upper Eden Valley ranger with the Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group, we have been able to ensure we have the right feeders, in the right places around the station, and we are able to fill them with the food the red squirrels needs and like.

“To have red squirrels in Appleby is a real bonus for the town, and we hop people will travel to Appleby by train to learn more about these rare animals and have the opportunity of seeing them for themselves.”

The feeders will be filled with nuts appropriate for the red squirrels funded by money raised through the £2 daily car parking fee at the station.

Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company volunteer, Derek Payne has made a nesting box for the squirrels, which will also be installed in the station.

Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group Range for the Appleby area, Gary Murphy said: “We are delighted to be able to have an information board about the red squirrels and help the team at Appleby Station install the feeders. We need to do everything we can to help these endangered animals."

A donation box and information leaflets from the Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group are at Appleby Station, to help passengers support the local colonies.