THE head of a Ludlow-based hedgehog charity has been briefing ministers about what is needed to help save the endangered garden creature.

Hedgehogs are in trouble, their numbers are declining dramatically.

Their number have been halved in rural areas and cut by a third in urban areas over the past 15 years.

Habitat loss and difficulties in moving between gardens are amongst the reason for the decline.

Fay Vass, chief executive of the Ludlow-based Hedgehog Preservation Society, went to the House of Commons for a summit meeting.

Oliver Colvile MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport had requested that Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Liz Truss, met with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to talk about hedgehogs.

Rory Stewart, Under Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, was also present with Fay Vass and Henry Johnson from People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

The importance of connectivity for hedgehogs and other wildlife was discussed at length.

Ministers were told what an important flagship species the hedgehog is and that measures to help them benefits other wildlife too.

Also discussed was replacing fences and walls with hedges where possible and providing gaps in the bottom of fences and walls that weren't replaced.

Ideas for new building projects, government input into raising awareness and the possibility of a British Standard for fencing were also debated.

“We were very pleased that ministers took the subject so seriously and appear keen to help hedgehogs and look forward to further discussions resulting in some positive actions to assist our prickly friends,” said Fay Vass.

“Hopefully, as well as input from the highest levels, this will also highlight the importance of helping hedgehogs individually wherever we can – we ask that members of the public join us all in trying to reverse the very serious decline in hedgehog numbers.”

More information is available by visiting www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk