THAT little, prickly, gardener's friend the hedgehog has long been a victim of our four-wheeled vehicles. Such fatalities are inevitable as long as hedgehogs cross roads.

However, what is happening to them on the Scottish island of Uist is very different.

It was established that hedgehogs on the island were a danger to the nests of wading birds and it was decided that a cull was needed.

In spite of many protestations, that cull has been going ahead in spring for the last three years.

Hedgehogs were caught and put to death by the administration of a lethal injection.

Volunteers for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, helped by the locals, have been rescuing hedgehogs and transporting them to mainland Britain for re-homing.

Imagine our horror to hear that from September 26 to October 28 this year the Uist Wader Project will be killing hedgehogs by day, hunting them out with dogs and then shooting them with shotguns.

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have advised that this method is acceptable.

How can that be when hunting with dogs is banned in Scotland?

If, like me, you view this action as cruel and unnecessary please make your views known to Superintendent Mike Flynn, Scottish SPCA, 603 Queensferry Road, Braehead Mains, Edinburgh EH4 6EA.

Further information on this matter can be viewed on www.britishhedgehogs.org. uk or BHPS, Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3PL. Telephone: 01584 890801.

EILEEN EASTHAM, Darwen.