Red squirrels on the Isle of Wight will today face a brighter future with the opening of a local heritage project.

Naturalist Dr David Bellamy, pictured, was today opening Parkhurst Red Squirrels, a Local Heritage Initiative, in Parkhurst Forest.

Managed by the Island 2000 Trust and Forest Enterprise, the project is helping to preserve the largest population of red squirrels in southern England.

The red squirrel project is funded with a grant of £13,408 from the Local Heritage Initiative, a national scheme run by the Countryside Agency and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The project seeks to redress the fact that many visitors to the Island remain unaware it hosts the UK's largest red squirrel population.

Local Heritage Initiative advisor for the south East, Kevin Haugh, said: "The red squirrel project is about local people getting involved in their local heritage.

"The project provides a great opportunity for the local economy to attract more visitors to the Island."

The Friends of Parkhurst Forest community service volunteers and local residents have made the project possible. They have spent weeks clearing rubbish, removing old wire fencing, clearing pathways and have helped to set up a red squirrel trail.

Parkhurst Red Squirrels project will include a fully accessible viewing hide for visitors, with interpretative materials and activities.

The scheme is aimed at bringing people back to the countryside and boosting the local economy. It makes available grants of between £3,000 and £25,000 to communities that wish to care for local heritage.