The grey squirrels are not affected by the virus

The news comes after a red squirrel was confirmed to have died of squirrel pox virus in Ainsdale, Merseyside.

The virus is carried by grey squirrels but does not affect them. Red squirrels have no immunity to the disease.

The Red Alert group is calling for the humane trapping of grey squirrels to try to stop an epidemic.

There have recently been outbreaks in Little Crosby, Rufford and Ormskirk.

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Squirrel pox virus is known to be one of the significant factors in the catastrophic decline of red squirrels in the UK.

When red squirrels become infected with the disease, they become lethargic and develop scabs and lesions around their mouth and eyes.

The colony in Sefton is one of the last remaining in the country.

Red Alert is asking people who feed red squirrels in their gardens to stop doing so, or to disinfect feeding equipment daily to try to stop the spread of disease.