Squirrel hunters 'should be paid'

People who shoot or trap grey squirrels should be paid, a member of the Scottish parliament has said.

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has called for the Scottish Parliament to introduce the bounty to protect red squirrels from their grey cousins.

Over 75% of the UK's red squirrels live in Scotland but they are threatened by the bigger greys that compete for food.

But animal groups have criticised the plan saying it would lead to "carnage in the countryside".

Click here to chat about animals

Under the proposal Mr Fraser said only qualified people with shotgun licences would be allowed to claim the cash for killing the animals.

He said: "It may seem like a drastic step, but the seriousness of the current situation cannot be underestimated."

'Ridiculous'

Quiz What do you know about squirrels? Enter

But Ross Minett, director of Advocates for Animals, dismissed the idea as a waste of public money.

"This is an absolutely ridiculous idea and it would lead to carnage in the countryside with every man and his dog out to raise cash from the killing of squirrels," said Mr Minett.

In 1932 the Forestry Commission introduced a bounty of 2.5p per squirrel tail. But the system was abandoned in 1957 because people were abusing it.