THE sighting of a red squirrel on a golf course has caused excitement within the world of naturalists.

And it has teed off a search by wildlife enthusiasts for the bushy-tailed creature, which darted across the fairway at Bishop Auckland Golf Club, in County Durham, earlier this week.

The mammals are a dying breed in England because they are being forced out of their habitats by the more adpatable grey squirrels.

Red squirrels are usually very timid, which is why golfer Tony Gibson and fellow players were amazed when the creature appeared on the sixth hole of the course on Monday.

The population of reds in the country is estimated to be around 20,000, and the North-East is believed to have more than any other region.

Experts believed reds had been confined to Northumberland and parts of northern and eastern County Durham, supplanted elsewhere in the region by the northward advance of their grey counterparts.

Now, naturalists want to know if the Bishop Auckland sightings indicates a hitherto unknown colony.

Veronica Carnell, of the Northumbrian Mammal Group, said: "I've got a broken ankle, otherwise I'd be running down to try and see it right now. I shall certainly try and come down soon and see it for myself.

"It's wonderful. I'm sure many people will be glad to know they're still around.

"They can pop up anywhere which has trees nearby so it's by no means impossible.

"They are not as bold as the grey, but they're not animals which only appear after dark like badgers or otters.

"It is unusual for them to appear on a golf course."

Mr Gibson, who has played golf at the club for 25 years, said: "When I saw it, my jaw dropped. We were on the green and it ran about 20 yards or so, straight past us."