Plea for hedgehog bonfire safety

Many hedgehogs are killed each year in bonfires

North-east England wildlife experts are asking people to look out for hiding hedgehogs before lighting bonfires.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust likened an unlit bonfire to a "five star hotel" for hibernating hedgehogs looking for somewhere to sleep.

The charity has issued guidelines for Bonfire Night on 5 November.

These include searching the pile for hibernating creatures using a torch and rake before starting the fire, and making a separate hedgehog pile.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust head of conservation, Steve Lowe, said: "To a hedgehog looking for a place to sleep, an unlit bonfire is a ready made nest.

"We are asking people to give hedgehogs a helping hand by following our instructions and checking any bonfires before lighting them.

"It only takes a minute to do but can save hundreds of hedgehogs from death.

"Hedgehogs are great friends to gardeners as a natural pest killer.

"However, numbers are in decline due to increased pesticide use and we need to do all we can to help them".

For more information on what you can do to help protect hedgehogs in your garden go to the Northumberland Wildlife Trust website.