Signs erected to protect squirrels and otters along Wester Ross A835 trunk road on approach to Ullapool

EYE-CATCHING new road signs which could help save the life of precious wildlife along a dangerous Wester Ross corridor have been installed.

And the initiative is largely down to big-hearted people touched by the plight of a red squirrel who came to grief on the A835 approach to the village of Ullapool.

Ted, as he was named, was injured after being struck by a vehicle on the Leckmelm stretch of the busy trunk road, which connects the coastal village with the rest of Ross-shire.

He was taken in by local activist Noel Hawkins who has worked with the local group Ullapool Sea Savers on a range of environmental projects – including a bid to get drivers to slow down at a point where squirrels forage for food and cross the road.

Mr Hawkins' social media updates of Ted's slow progress, from being hand fed, tugged at the heartstrings of a growing audience willing the bushy tailed squirrel to get better.

Sadly Ted was ultimately put to sleep after it became clear he was in pain. Mr Hawkins said: "We had tried everything here and thought he was okay but he wasn’t eating properly. I took him to a lady by Perth who has more experience and it turned out his jaw was damaged and his teeth were out of alignment so he couldn’t eat and it was starting to cause him pain so we decided it was best for him.

"However we did a fundraiser for signs when he got a lot of attention and raised £1600 to put towards some official otter signs just north of Ullapool where three otters have been hit, and some other hots spots outside the village where squirrels, otters and badgers have all been hit. We are also discussing some other ideas with BEAR Scotland – even the possibility of a squirrel bridge."

The first of the new animal warning signs bought from the Ted Squirrel fundraising pot have now been put in place on the A835. An approach to Forest Way Bunkhouse has two squirrels signs and Leckmelm has two otter warning signs with more coming soon.

Related: WATCH: Squirrel Ted's plight melts hearts

'Slow down' plea as red squirrel is nurtured

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