John Ratcliffe of the Countryside Council for Wales - also partners in the squirrel conservation project - said half measures were not possible and it wanted to return more of the area to dunes.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Wales | North West Wales | Tree-felling 'to preserve dunes'

"We can no longer take red squirrels for granted, like other members of our fauna and flora, they have suffered as the result of the spread of a non-native species - the grey squirrel, " she said.

BBC: Red squirrels conservation plan for Wales

She also said genetic studies have shown that each of the red squirrel populations contain DNA which is unique to Wales.

BBC: Red squirrels conservation plan for Wales

Ron McDonald, from SNH, said that grey squirrel control would be focussed on the key routes being used by grey squirrels to spread north.

BBC: Battle on to save red squirrels

It said Mr McRae was "undertaking a demanding manoeuvre" before the Eurocopter Squirrel aircraft hit trees and crashed.

BBC: Colin McRae's neighbour describes helicopter crash