THE European Squirrel Initiative has supported plans for a controlled cull of grey squirrels in the Lake District, which is set to come under the spotlight again next month.

The Lake District National Park Authority is expected to report back after being asked to introduce a policy at its January meeting by those worried the red could be wiped out in ten years.

ESI chairman Miles Barne said: "The only way to save the British red squirrel from total extinction is to remove the alien grey squirrel. Red squirrels will very soon become extinct on mainland Britain and Ireland and with American grey squirrels now spreading from northern Italy towards France and Switzerland, this will become a European problem.

Not only is the grey squirrel responsible for the elimination of the red squirrel it is also to blame for damaging our woodlands and desecrating the nests of woodland birds.

The initiative is to restore the red squirrel and protect the natural environment by removing the impact of the grey in Europe.