An appeal has been made for rope to help endangered red squirrels.

Wildwood at Herne Common has been successful in breeding the animals for later release among a colony on a Welsh island.

But it needs donations of rope for them to scurry up and down in their enclosures.

Senior keeper Judi Dunn said: “We change the insides of their enclosures at regular intervals so they are kept interested.

“But this means we need a good supply of items to put in the enclosures and this year we have struggled to get rope.”

Keepers can use any natural fibre rope such as manila, sisal or hemp that has not been painted or treated with chemicals.

Contact Wildwood on 01227 712111 for more information.