Red squirrels: 5,000 volunteers sought to save species – and help kill invasive greys

Wildlife Trusts' biggest-ever recruitment drive will see volunteers monitor populations, educate children - and bludgeon grey squirrels to death

An army of 5,000 volunteers is being sought to save the red squirrel from extinction by monitoring populations, educating children - and bludgeoning grey squirrels to death.

The Wildlife Trusts' biggest-ever recruitment drive is focused on areas of northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland where invasive grey squirrels first introduced by the Victorians are driving the retreating red squirrel population to extinction.