DON'T get spooked if you see mysterious people armed with torches and rubber gloves in Blackpool cemeteries at the dead of night.

Members of The Fylde Hedgehog Rescue Trust have been out and about in the dark to release 16 rescued hedgehogs in to Blackpool cemeteries over the last month.

One of Britain's most popular and best-loved creatures has adapted well to urban life. And cemeteries are quiet sanctuaries which represent a hedgehog paradise to little hoggies.

There are plenty of trees and shrubs to provide both shelter and nesting material, an abundance of their natural food, insects and an absence of natural predators.

All hedgehogs were released with identification tags, a numbered small plastic bead slid on the back of the neck. The Trust is keeping records so all rescued hedgehogs can be traced easily if found in need of help in the future.

"An adult hedgehog can travel two or three miles in a night while foraging and so these lucky hedgehogs will have probably dispersed into quite a wide area," said Janis Dean, manager of the Poulton-le-Fylde based Fylde Hedgehog Rescue Trust.

"We are very grateful to Blackpool Borough Council for allowing us to utilise local cemeteries to release rehabilitated hedgehogs because safe havens are increasingly hard to find these days."

The Trust has asked if more rehabilitated hoggies can be released into Blackpool cemeteries.

Coun Sue Wright, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: "As a council, we are pleased that our cemeteries are being given a fresh lease of life by providing these little creatures with a safe release site."

"Modern gardens can be quite a hazard for hedgehogs and the increasing traffic makes roads more and more dangerous so this is an excellent use of a council facility."

To find out more about the work of the Trust, tel 01253 899404.