A red squirrel has been spotted for the first time in five years on a farm that was one of the first in the UK to take the initiative in red squirrel conservation. 

Sedbergh was one of the first Cumbrian towns to take initiative when Kendal's Very Reverend Ingram Cleasby, who was educated in Sedbergh, started a group in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Reverend, who became the Dean of Chester, was one of the first to inform people in Cumbria when he realised what was happening with the invasive nature of the non-native grey squirrels on the reds.

Sedbergh's records go back to the early years and show how grey squirrels moved into the region from the south.

The sighting was welcomed by Sarah Elizabeth James who is based on Waterside Farm in Firbank near Sedbergh.

Sarah said: "It just appeared two days ago and was spotted eating on my dad's bird feeder.

"My dad along, with Gary Murphy, our squirrel control guy, try to control as many greys as possible.

"It's been at least five years since we spotted one on the farm. It was a joy to see as we’ve been trying to get the reds back for years."

Jackie Foot, who ran a Sedbergh Squirrel group from the early 2000s until 2014, informed the Gazette of the town's long history of protecting red squirrels.

She added: "The Sedbergh area has never lost their reds because of the volunteer work started all those years ago to manage the greys.

"Local residents can often enjoy the elusive reds in those areas where there is consistent grey squirrel control.

"If anyone wants to get involved, they should go to the Sedbergh red squirrels website."