A HEREFORDSHIRE town council is working to save hedgehogs from being killed by machinery as it tells its staff to be aware.

Ross-on-Wye Town Council is raising awareness of hedgehogs through labelling up their cutting machinery and further educating their operatives on the importance of looking out for hedgehogs when operating equipment.

Its teams often carry out works in and around public parks and boundary hedges.

This means that they tackle areas that would be the perfect habitat for hedgehogs and make every effort possible to not disturb them.

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Ross-on-Wye Town Council has now joined the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) 'Roll of Honour' with over 100 other businesses that have pledged to become Hedgehog aware.

The bright yellow 'hedgehog awareness' stickers, which were supplied by BHPS, were distributed, and placed on essential machinery.

It is hoped that the stickers will not only increase awareness of hedgehogs but lead to awareness of other wildlife during the cutting season and throughout general maintenance schedules.

This is not only a sticker but a direct connection between species declines in urban areas and the small steps the public and small to large businesses can take to halt further declines in wildlife.

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As well as raising awareness of hedgehogs, which is the ancient emblem of the town, the council is also going that one step further by making the town cemetery at Tudorville hedgehog friendly.

Several hedgehogs have been spotted in the area and to help them to continue to thrive, a hedgehog house, along with some food, has kindly been donated by Ross Garden Store, which will be installed before the hibernation season starts.

In 2020, hedgehogs joined the country's red List of critically endangered species and were officially declared vulnerable.

Carla Boyles, deputy clerk, said: "I am pleased that the town council is able to support the hedgehog population in Ross, and wish to express my thanks to Ross Garden Store for helping us in our mission."