ADOPT a cute red squirrel and help fund essential maintenance work of Brownsea Island to protect their habitat next year.

That’s the plea from Dorset Wildlife Trust, whose Brownsea Island manager Chris Thain said: “There are around 200 red squirrels on the island and our work in partnership with the National Trust has enabled the population to thrive.

“But we need help from the public so we can continue to provide ideal conditions for the reds to live in. The adoption scheme is a wonderful way for people to learn more about red squirrels and help them, and there’s the bonus that visitors can come to the island and see the red squirrels living in their natural habitat.”

Visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/red_squirrel_adoptions or call 01305 264620 and order by December 13 to receive the pack in time for Christmas.