Hungry fox on hunt

With having to battle the big freeze and snow, wind, rain and ice over the past few weeks it has been a time of slim pickings for your local neighbourhood fox.

This one snapped by Shropshire Star reader Dave Cooper, of Nordley, Bridgnorth, had some catching up to do when the big thaw finally came and picked up a nice hearty meal in the shape of a plump grey squirrel.

Foxes eat anything going - from insects, rodents and rabbits to grasses, berries, fruit, fish and birds. But with snow and ice covering the ground for weeks on end, its normal prey has either been killed off or in hiding until it gets a bit warmer.

Most species of fox generally consume around one kilogram of food every day.

And with the prospect of more snow forecast this week, this little one may want to think of keeping a bit for later to get him through the tough times.