A SOUTH Lakeland caravan park is battling to save its red squirrel population after the creatures' habitat was devastated by January's storms.

About 200 trees were blown down at Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Ambleside, by near hurricane force winds, including conifers, which are the favourite food source of red squirrels.

The destruction was devastating and although replanting is set to take place - it will be years before the 130 acres of native and exotic forest returns to normal.

Park owner Henry Wild feared for the park's well-known red squirrel population and sought the help of experts at Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

Mr Wild explained: "The red squirrel is our park emblem and we have worked hard to maintain and increase the population at Skelwith by putting up supplementary feeders and ensuring that our forest management is very red friendly."

He added: "We noticed a population reduction a couple of years ago which was due to the Parapox disease that is thought to have been imported by greys. But, through our feeding, we were seeing a gradual increase in the population that is now threatened by the storm damage to some of their favourite trees."

CWT squirrel officer Jason Reynalds recommended that the park put up even more feeders and build some nesting boxes.

But he also feared that the dainty native reds could have even more of a battle on their hands competing for food with the larger greys.

Grey squirrels were introduced to Britain in 1876 from North America and now outnumber reds 66-to-one. Both pursue the same sort of foods but, because the greys are larger, the reds most often end up going hungry. In addition to all this, the greys carry the Parapox disease that has wiped out reds in some parts of the country.

Now, following advice from the trust, grey squirrels found at the park will be caught in a humane trap and killed.

"It is one of those difficult conservation issues," explained Mr Reynalds.

"All of our red squirrel populations in Cumbria are absolutely key to the survival of the species and we will be working closely with Skelwith Fold and other land owners to protect and encourage the red squirrel," he said.

The park plans to continue with other conservation and restoration projects, including the ongoing protection of the squirrel.