ALMOST 40 red squirrels have been born at Walton Hall since they were introduced to the children's zoo.

The Warrington visitor attraction has five specially built cages linked by tunnels as part of a nationwide breeding programme to allow the protected species' numbers to grow.

A total of 38 red squirrels, known as kittens in their infancy, have been born at the zoo since the project began more than 10 years ago.

A spokesman said: "Five of these have been released into the wild on the Isle of Anglesey and the remainder have moved to start their own families at Knowsley Safari Park, Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre, Dudley Zoo, Bolton Animal World, British Wildlife Centre and the Welsh Mountain Zoo."