ANIMAL protection groups are calling for a boycott of Prince Charles' products as a reaction to a project which would see red squirrels reintroduced to the far west of Cornwall.

The Cornishman recently revealed details of the Red Squirrel Project, phase one of which would involve clearing all grey squirrels in the area at a cost of £120,000.

The plan has the backing of Prince Charles but animal protection groups, Animal Aid and Viva!, believe that the campaign to eradicate grey squirrels is 'irrational, inhumane and doomed to fail'.

And they are calling for everyone who opposes animal cruelty to boycott the Prince's Duchy Originals range of products in protest.

Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, says: "To mass-kill a healthy species and then reintroduce one that may struggle to survive in that area, is utterly absurd and a shocking waste of valuable conservation money."