 LARGE areas of Merseyside and West Lancashire could be turned into a conservation zone to help save the red squirrel from extinction. Efforts to maintain the red squirrel population in Formby's pinewoods would be stepped up as the area became an official "red squirrel refuge". Throughout the zone spanning from Southport to Crosby and out to parts of Ormskirk, traps, pest control methods and game-keeping would be increased to control the population of grey squirrels, which threatens to force out the reds. Fiona Robertson, conservation officer for Red Alert North West, a wildlife trust in Crosby, said: "We want to keep tree planting to a minimum in these urban areas. Any tree planting that goes ahead will be monitored so it helps maintain the red squirrel population and doesn't attract greys. "The idea is that we have a nice open space where it is very difficult for greys to come in and populate. We want to keep it that way." Plans for the conservation zone have been drawn up by the UK Red Squirrel Group as part of a national strategy which has designated 16 refuge sites throughout the country. As well as managing squirrel habitats and controlling grey squirrels, the programme would encourage the public to become involved in conservation matters by reporting sightings of both species to assist population monitoring. In addition, a series of virus screenings would be carried out by Liverpool University's veterinary department to raise understanding of diseases killing off reds. The scheme, which organisers hope will be launched on September 10, would use funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. However, support needs to be gained from Sefton Council first. A report to be discussed by councillors at the Southport Area Committee meeting states: "The red squirrel is held in high regard by the people of Sefton and is one of the Sefton coast's major attractions - it is estimated that the National Trust property at Formby alone attracts 300,000 visitors to the coast each year. "The red squirrel should not be undervalued as a marketing tool for sustainable green tourism and, as such, its potential value in assisting Sefton's economic development. "While much conservation work is already in place for the red squirrel in this area, the designation of the Sefton coast woodlands as a red squirrel refuge would give added protection and strengthen the effect that the conservation measures have on the red squirrel population of Sefton." Red squirrels were once found throughout England but are now almost completely restricted to the North, with small colonies on the Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island in Dorset. Sefton now supports the most northern population in England. The total British population of the animals is about 16,000, of which more than 1,000 are in Sefton. Colonies continue to be lost throughout Britain and the red squirrel is now considered to be endangered. In May 2004, a colony of reds in Ince Blundell, between Crosby and Formby, was wiped out after two outbreaks of the deadly parapox virus, which is carried by American grey squirrels. * RED Alert North West operates a humane trapping system to control the grey population. To report grey squirrel sightings or order a humane trap, call 0151 920 3769. grahamdavies@dailypost.co.uk | 
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