Many of us slightly older Lancastrians have memories of red squirrels in our gardens. Smaller than grey squirrels, with bushier tails and cute ear tufts, we have happier memories of reds, while their American cousins have taken on a pesky status.

There is a map from 1945 that shows the grey population had hardly left the London area after being introduced into the Victorian gardens in the previous century. It shows the resilience of grey squirrels but also points to the devastation of reds by the pox carried by greys.

Red squirrels have now been pushed back towards the Scottish border, with just a small English stronghold around Formby. Of course, they are doing OK north of the border.

As conservationists at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, it is difficult to admit that we have to create a buffer zone around Formby, and that we control grey squirrels to protect the reds.

Red squirrels outcompete greys in coniferous woodlands in Northern England and South Scotland. Red squirrels outcompete greys in coniferous woodlands in Northern England and South Scotland. (Image: Peter Smith) Grey squirrels are amazing creatures and they are often the first real engagement many children have with mammals in their own gardens. We had one in our garden last week, only our second sighting in 20 years living in Brinscall. But it would be nice to see our native reds in gardens where they once thrived.

Many people see greys as a pest, causing devastation in woodlands where they target newly planted trees. And then there is the pox, where they act as a carrier. Seeing the horrible symptoms and painful death of red squirrels with this disease is heartbreaking.

We are seeking new ways to protect red squirrels and they will receive stronger protection as part of a network of support across the north of England and south of Scotland.

The colony in Formby is the furthest south that red squirrels flourish on mainland England and their wellbeing will be safeguarded as part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) project.

An orphaned red squirrel being cared for. An orphaned red squirrel being cared for. (Image: Rachel Cripps) The five-year RSRN project will see the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Knowsley Safari Foundation in Prescot, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Cumbria Wildlife Trust, working for this iconic mammal.

Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to protect and conserve populations of red squirrels in the north of England and southern Scotland.

During the 12-month development phase the countrywide team will develop the methodology for large scale grey squirrel fertility control, plan audience engagement and activity programmes and write a conservation plan.

In addition, team members will work together to collect data across the project areas on squirrel presence/absence, grey squirrel management activity and volunteer demographics to establish the current range of volunteers as well as identify opportunities to encourage new volunteers.

Red squirrels are a popular attraction at Formby National Trust reserve. Red squirrels are a popular attraction at Formby National Trust reserve. (Image: Alan Wright) RSRN will be launching a campaign entitled “Don’t Be Shy” over the coming months, which you will be able to support. Look out for details at lancswt.org.uk.

My favourite moment with red squirrels came when I was filming with Newsround. The camera crew and presenter had gone off on their own and I came upon them sitting in logs, surrounded by playful reds cavorting around, like a scene from a fairytale.

Hopefully, over the coming years many more of us will have the joy of seeing similar things in our own gardens.