Red squirrel aficionados recently converged on Exeter University for what is believed to be the first international conference devoted to conserving the tufty-eared mammal.

Dr Sandro Bertolino of the University of Turin spoke on saving the red squirrel in Italy where the spread of the grey squirrel is causing similar problems to here and has implications for the rest of mainland Europe.

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Reds have been successfully reintroduced to Anglesey and the Cornwall Red Squirrel Project formed in 2009 has earmarked two possible locations- the Lizard and West Penwith-where work on ridding the areas of greys has begun. A film by Richard Brock asked Can we save the red?-it will be a challenge, but there is a strong will to succeed.

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