FANS of the rare red squirrel will be going nuts over the chance to see their bushy-tailed chums up close and personal at Kilnsey Park Estate's Red Squirrel Day on October 5.

Visitors will be able to get a close look at the estate's red squirrel colony, which was recently boosted by two new babies, and see how

work to breed and conserve the species is carried out.

Red squirrels are endangered mainly because of the non-native grey squirrel - imported to Britain from North America at the end of the 19th century - which out-competes it for resources, allied to loss of habitat from human encroachment. The event runs from 11am-3pm, and is part of National Red Squirrel Week, which aims to boost awareness of the plight of the animal. It is estimated that there are only about 140,000 left in the British Isles, though there is still a colony in Hawes.

Pictured getting in some practice for the day are Kilnsey Park Estate staff Hannah Hodgson with larger-than-life 'squirrel' Rachael Tiplady!