HAVING just read Harry Mead’s column on the persecution of the grey squirrel (Echo, Jan 11), I wonder where he has gotten his feelings for this American pest.

I can remember when I was a kid I used to see red squirrels and pine martens in my local woods, just a stone’s throw from where I was born.

Over the years, the greys have moved north from where they were first introduced.

I am no expert like Mr Mead but I do know that these squirrels are vermin.

Although cute-looking, they destroy many of our native species of birds by taking their eggs.

I would personally like to obtain a permit to humanely get rid of the greys and start to introduce more reds back into our environment.

Howay the reds!

Malcolm Gibb, Durham.