A case of the dreaded squirrel pox has been reported in a South Cumbria red squirrel colony.

The squirrel was spotted on June 5 in the Sedbergh area and had to be killed due to the disease.

Visible symptoms of squirrel pox virus include wet, discharging lesions or scabs around the eyes, mouth, feet and genitalia.

READ MORE: Why Phoenix the red squirrel has re-ignited hope for pox ruined colony

Squirrels generally become increasingly lethargic as the disease progresses before it becomes fatal. 

The larger grey squirrel is immune to the pox and is a carrier which means it can bring the disease to red squirrel colonies.

No more reds with the pox have been reported in Sedbergh with a volunteer ranger seemingly culling the infected one just in time.

Volunteers always fears that it could have been spread to other areas however.

The most recent infected red will most likely have had a dray full of young kittens which will not have survived without the female.

Karen Hopps, one of the co-ordinators at Sedbergh Red Squirrel Groups, said it is a 'fighting battle' to conserve the red species.

She said: "We at Sedbergh Reds have had just the one red squirrel with the pox and are holding our breath that it hasn't spread to others in the area.

"We are lucky that our volunteer ranger saw it and unfortunately had to cull it - one to try to stop the spread, two to put the poor thing out of its misery as it is a very slow painful death.

(Image: Sarah Elizabeth James) "Sedbergh has always had red squirrels and still does but it is a fighting battle to keep the greys at bay.

"As a very small band of volunteers covering approximately 146 sq miles we do our best but fear that is not going to be enough in the long term.

"We, plus other squirrel groups, need government intervention if we are to keep our native reds in England."

To find out how you can help in red squirrel conservation or report a squirrel pox sighting, visit the Sedbergh red squirrels website.