A Garstang couple are on a quest to discover whether any of the native species are still breeding in the area - and they need your help.
Peter Jackson and his partner Helen Croft are more used to catching rabbits and rats for local farmers in their spare time, but recently, they've turned their attention to trying to save the endangered red squirrel.
The couple believe that if they can find a pocket of red squirrels, they can then begin to control the surrounding grey squirrel population and help them to breed.
Red squirrels have been declining in population for the past 100 years, for a number of reasons including landscape use, extensive tree felling, predation and road deaths, but their single biggest threat is the grey squirrel.
Introduced to the country in 1876 by the owners of stately homes, the grey squirrel has taken over red squirrel habitats.
The reds suffer because they have a much more limited diet and live in very low density populations, meaning greys can find food and breed more easily.
Unlike the greys, they are also intolerant of a compound called tannin, which is found in seeds such as unripe acorns, so often the greys will eat the fruits before they ripen and become a viable food source for the reds.
Lethally, they have spread and transmitted the 'Squirrelpox' virus to the reds - a bug the greys are immune to.
Pipe layer Peter said: "Many people are of the opinion that grey squirrels are better than no squirrels. But they don't realise the harm they are doing, not just to the red squirrels but to other wildlife as well.
"These squirrels are only fluffy rats. They carry diseases, which can be passed on to birds and other animals, as well as the Squirrelpox virus. They also have a large appetite and can eat birds' eggs and small nesting birds.
"They destroy the wild bird population, including tits and finches, that people like to watch and feed."
Peter and Helen believe there must be red squirrels living in Lancashire. They say a member of the public claims to have spotted a red squirrel near Garstang, but this is currently unconfirmed.
The couple would like all walkers and anyone with an interest in wildlife to keep an eye out for the species and let them know if they spot one.
But they warn that greys can sometimes have a red tinge to their coat. A grey squirrel weighs roughly twice as much as a red squirrel, and has a longer tail and smaller ears.
Peter continued: "It would be great if we could identify a pocket round here - then we'll have something definite. We just need one confirmed sighting and then we'll know that there must be more.
"We need people who will let us put traps up to catch the greys - any landowners with grey squirrel infestations are welcome to get in touch with us. We know people are concerned about what we do, but this is vermin control. We are not going out there to cause them distress or injury.
"We're never going to get rid of every one, but we can get rid of enough to give reds a foothold to get breeding again. Depending on the size of the colony, we could see a result within a year."
Several red squirrel reserves have been created in Northern England, with the nearest bordering south Cumbria and west Yorkshire.
The reserves include large plantation conifer forests with buffer zones to protect the areas from grey squirrels. Red squirrels thrive in conifer forests due to the small seeds and limited food sources which deter grey squirrels from habitating.
A reserve may not be possible in this area, but Peter and Helen still hope that by humanely trapping and 'dispatching' grey squirrels to keep them under control, they will make a difference.
Peter added: "We went to Lowther Driving Trials & Country Fair in the summer and got talking to people who are involved in red squirrel reserves in Cumbria.
"We realised how passionate people are about it and the enthusiasm they have and hope that if anyone is interested in working with us as a team they will get in touch.
"We are talking about a natural species that should have the opportunity to survive in its own country. There needs to be a fine balance in nature and all this is coming into the public knowledge now. We have more information about the country's wildlife and we now know that foreign species have been brought in to the detriment of other species.
"We just want to educate people, ask them to slow down a bit and be aware of what's around them. Once our native species are gone, they're gone forever."
* If you spot a red squirrel, or would like to help out, let Peter and Helen know on 07813 086582. You can find more information on the efforts to protect the red squirrel at www.saveoursquirrels.org.uk