There are 16 individual groups in the south of Scotland – stretching from Berwick-Upon-Tweed to Stranraer – that attempt to control grey squirrel numbers while promoting the native reds.

However, they face a constant challenge with migrating greys from the central belt and northern England.

As well as the suspected outbreak around Peebles, sick-looking red squirrels have been spotted near Selkirk.

Bill Ferguson, from the Central Borders Red Squirrel Network, said: “Because very little is being done around Edinburgh and Glasgow we have invasive greys coming down from the central belt, putting the red squirrel population in the south of Scotland under threat.

“We would ask everyone to do their bit by taking down bird feeders or anything else in their gardens where grey and red squirrels could congregate.

“There doesn’t have to be any interaction between them but if a grey has been on someone’s feeder and 10 minutes later a red comes along, they can pick up the virus.”