A HEDGEHOG is a very good friend to have in the garden, but, sadly, there seem to be fewer of them this year, probably because of the long winter.

The late spring also means late litters or hoglets and there are again many orphans in need of care this autumn.

Hedgehogs need to weigh at least one-and-a-half to one-and-a-quarter pounds or they will not survive hibernation, so it is important they are kept warm and well-fed until they are big enough to release into the wild.

Baby hedgehogs should not be fed bread and cow's milk since this seriously upsets their stomachs. Fresh water with a meat-based pet food, along with some cereal is a better basic diet.

A H COLES, British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Knowbury House, Shropshire, SY8 3LQ.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.