THIS cuddly gang of two rescued by Hydestile Resident Animals have been enlisted by centre owner Graham Cornick to drive home the strength of feeling against a grey squirrel cull promoted by EU with the support of the UK Forestry Commission.

Michael Gove, the environment secretary, has signalled his support for a cull because squirrels strip the bark from broadleaf saplings, including beeches, sycamores and oaks, which is often fatal for the trees.

The move has been condemned by the heads of five animal charities, who say grey squirrels are being “scapegoated” because they are not a native species and their impact on woodland has been exaggerated.

Mr Cornick said: “We rescued these two babies when they were knocked out of a tree and orphaned.

“I called them Ronnie and Reggie - The Grey Twins - after the gangsters the Kray Twins, because what the EU plan to do with grey squirrels is little short of criminal.

“They have been a accused of killing off their cousins the red squirrels, but red squirrels really died off because of the loss of habitat due to urban expansion, and also cars and cats.

“The amount of damage grey squirrels cause to trees is very small and many of the nuts and seeds they bury in the autumn to store food, don’t get found again and grow into trees or shrubs.

“If you love grey squirrels, as many of you do, please join in Ronnie and Regggie’s campaign to by contacting your MP and asking them to say ‘nuts’ to the EU and then ask them to kill the bill and not The Grey Twins.

“Don’t forget, you all loved the famous 1980s Carling Black Label advert starring a grey squirrel doing an assault course.”