VITAL rope bridges which protect the Island's rare red squirrels from busy roads are to be removed due to insurance problems.

The Island's Wight Squirrel Project, which was behind the initiative to install the three bridges - two at Ryde and one at Yarmouth - says the cost of accident insurance has meant they are having to be taken down.

The three bridges have been in place for nearly five years, and were introduced to cut the death toll of red squirrels on the Island roads.

It is estimated the Island has a red squirrel population of 2,000-plus - there are no greys and prior to the rope bridges around 50 to 100 a year were found dead on roads.

Project spokeswoman Helen Butler said: "The rope bridges certainly made a difference into the number of road deaths."

Red squirrel blackspot signs were also erected by the Island's council to warn passing motorists.

Helen Butler said initially the cost of the bridges had been sponsored, and they could now only be retained if an organisation or individual was able to help pay for the insurance.

The bridges linked pockets of red squirrel population in woodland at Ryde and Yarmouth, with food hoppers encouraging the animals to cross using the bridges high up in trees rather than dodge traffic.

The growth of trees at the bridge sights had helped reduce the distance over the roads, but it was still feared more squirrels would now be lost.

"If anyone is able to help out with insurance we would be more than pleased to hear from them."