Helen McRobie's research into the spread of the black squirrel in the UK has recently drawn national attention after it was featured on the BBC's 'The One Show'.

The squirrel, which has distinctive black fur, is a genetic mutation of its more common grey cousin. Although it is the same species as the grey, black squirrels have a piece of DNA missing on a gene involved in producing pigment. Helen was interviewed by the show on the 30th January about her work investigating the spread of the black squirrel across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire since their introduction as an ornamental species in Woburn, Bedfordshire around 100 years ago.

The One Show feature also coincided with the unveiling of the 'Black Squirrel Project' website, which allows the public to aid Helen's research by submitting their sightings of the invasive black and grey species alongside the much rarer native red squirrel. To date, the website has received over 85,000 hits as newspapers, television, radio and websites have asked the nation to record their squirrel sightings.

Helen's research has also featured prominently on ITV Daybreak, BBC Look East, Anglia News, and BBC Radio 4, and in newspapers such as The Times, Telegraph, Daily Mirror and the Mail. The call for squirrel sightings has also been issued by numerous regional papers and radio stations, and websites such as BBC News and United Press International.

Speaking of the success Helen commented, "I have been really delighted by the response to the Black Squirrel Project. My work on black squirrels always seems to capture the imagination of the public, both young and old. I have received many offers of help with historical details, sightings and offers of DNA samples from the UK and abroad. All this input is going to be very valuable to my research."

You can help Helen's research by submitting your own squirrel sightings to www.blacksquirrelproject.org