Leading conservation charity the Scottish Wildlife Trust is calling on the public to eat a special burger to help save the red squirrel from extinction in Scotland.

From today, Monday July 1st, Edinburgh pub The Red Squirrel will be donating 50p from the sale of every ‘Red Squirrel burger’ to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

The burger, which is made from locally sourced beef and does not contain red squirrel meat, is one of the most popular items on the menu.

Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Simon Milne, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust is delighted that ‘the Red Squirrel burger’ will bring much-needed funds to saving the red squirrel.

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust is working hard to save the red squirrel and when Edinburgh’s Red Squirrel bar approached us about the burger we thought it was a really novel idea.

“‘The Red Squirrel burger’ does not contain red squirrel and every one will help save the red squirrel which faces the threat of extinction in Scotland. “

General Manager of the Red Squirrel, Chris Robinson, said: “The Red Squirrel thought it would be great to help conserve our namesake animal.

“The last thing we want to see is the loss of the very animal that gives us our name and the Scottish Wildlife Trust is helping to save the iconic red squirrel from eradication by their grey cousins.

“For that very reason, 50p from the sale of every ‘Red Squirrel burger’ is being donated to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.”