RED squirrels were spotted in a patch of woodland in the Lune Valley for the first time in 20 years, according to a conservationist.

Jason Braithwaite, 53), shared a photo a landowner sent him of a red squirrel near Kirkby Lonsdale that was caught on camera on April 20. Mr Braithwaite did want to give the exact location of the woodland as he did not want to attract public attention to the area.

However, he said that not only was it the first time in two decades since a red squirrel was spotted in that area, a groundsman who had been working there for years told him that he had never seen one.