Baby hedgehogs rescued from Barnstaple bonfire

A family of hedgehogs has been rescued in the Sticklepath area of Barnstaple – from an unlit garden bonfire.

Many female hedgehogs are still pregnant at this time of year and Guy Fawkes' night bonfires provide a perfect nesting ground.

Doreen Williams, of Cullompton Wildlife Care Centre, said: "Be careful when lighting your bonfires – hedgehogs may be nesting in them.

"Make sure that you check them first by gently lifting the bottom with a broom handle, then look underneath with a torch and listen for noise. If they are there they will respond."

The hedgehog family from Sticklepath are not the only ones from North Devon to be rescued – others have been found in Bideford, Braunton and Newport.

If you find any hedgehogs over the next few festive weeks, please contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 or visit www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk.

Alternatively, you can find out more facts about the prickly creatures from Doreen and Martin Williams' website www.cullywildlife.co.uk.