USUALLY one of the region’s most elusive creatures, the red squirrel has taken pride of place in the centre of Hexham.

A display featuring the well-loved, but endangered, ‘sciurus vulgaris’ has taken root in the window of an empty shop front in Fore Street.

The exhibit is a collaboration between Hexham Spaces and two squirrel conservation groups, Red Squirrel Northern England and the Haydon Bridge Red Squirrel group.

It is hoped that the eye-catching display in the window of the former Billy Bites outlet will encourage passers by to help conserve one of the nation’s best-loved animals.

Patricia Graham, of Hexham Spaces – a project that works to fill empty shop fronts in the town until they are occupied – was approached by the Haydon Bridge Red Squirrel Group with the idea over a year ago.

She said: “It’s taken a year to find a window that’s available because you need permission from the landlord and the agent.

“The agent in this case has been most helpful in arranging access and all of the work is worth it because it’s very important to make sure that Hexham looks as lovely as it should.

The display has been put together by Katy Cook, an engagement officer with Red Squirrels Northern England, and Marion Craig from the Haydon Bridge Red Squirrels group.

It features information about the red squirrel, advice on what people can do to help protect them and photographs taken by Marion’s son.

Marion said: “It’s an ideal opportunity to get some publicity for the red squirrels and it’s a good idea to fill up these blank spaces.

“Hopefully, people will report to us when they sight a red squirrel, and it would be great if people felt they could help in their own area.”

Katy added: “The North-East is now the last populated area of mainland England for red squirrels.

“We have teams of rangers working across the area but we do need more volunteers to get involved to help.”