THE click of a computer mouse could give the most significant boost yet to the chances of red squirrels defying the onslaught of their grey cousins in England.

A world-first conservation project involving the Forestry Commission, Newcastle University, Queen Mary University of London and the Mammals Trust UK, which has provided funding, was unveiled yesterday in Kielder Forest, Northumberland - which is home to 80 per cent of the English red squirrel population.

The move follows successful trials of a high-tech computer modelling system, developed by Newcastle University in a small Northumberland wood, which helps foresters manage the terrain in favour of the red squirrel.

Now the Forestry Commission has opted to incorporate this technology into its management of Kielder.

Since their introduction more than 100 years ago from North America, grey squirrels have replaced the native population in most of the country and are assailing Kielder from all directions.

The aim of the project is to identify the most suitable parts of the forest and make them as red-friendly as possible, using tools developed by computer models and the expert knowledge of foresters.

With conifers taking up to 50 years to mature, and broadleaf trees even longer, decisions taken today on planting and felling operations at Kielder will have an impact on biodiversity for decades to come.

Using funding provided by the Mammals Trust UK, the project will be extended to all the Forestry Commission's woodlands across the region.