Help the hedgehogs

RETFORD families are being urged to make their gardens hedgehog havens to help reinvigorate the creatures' dwindling population.

Country park rangers at Notts County Council say hedgehogs are a rarity in the forests of the parks it runs, but thrive in garden areas. Estimates put the current population at only around 1.1 million, a huge drop from the 30 million the country had 50 years ago.

Paul Cook, senior ranger at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, said: "The life of a hedgehog can be quite fragile. Even hibernation is fraught with problems.

"Out of hibernation season, I have only seen one hedgehog in the forest in the last few years because there are more predatory creatures.

"A garden environment is great for hedgehogs – people may want to leave a corner of their garden full of decomposing leaves which provide a perfect habitat."

Leanne Diver, ranger at Rufford Abbey Country Park, said: "If you are out walking and see a hedgehog which looks injured is to contact us. They should not pick hedgehogs up as they are often riddled with fleas."