BANKIES are being urged to make a space for hedgehogs to live in their garden.

Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from May 5 to May 11, and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) has issued some pointers on things we can do to help our bristly friends.

The charity is asking people to make space for them in the form of either a log pile or in a wilder, or slightly overgrown corner of your garden, which will also provide a buffet of creepy crawlies.

For anyone wanting to go more upmarket, you can even buy hedgehog homes on various websites.

Other simple things that we can do to help are make sure there are CD case-sized gaps in boundary fences and walls to allow easy passage, move piles of rubbish to a new site before burning it, check areas carefully before mowing or strimming and ensure netting is kept at a safe height.

It is also important to check compost heaps before digging the fork in, stop or reduce the amount of pesticides and poisons used, cover drains or deep holes and ensure there is an easy route out of any ponds and pools you may have.

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Fay Vass, chief executive of BHPS, said “We would love to see what you have done for hedgehogs during the week.

“Send us pictures of the the event you organise or of the hedgehog space you create, and if you are on social media do use #hedgehogweek.

“It’s a great excuse to get the kids away from their screens and out in to the garden.

“Get them to create a sign declaring your garden is a hedgehog friendly space or maybe a name plaque for the hedgehog home.”

The society has a free downloadable plan for building a hedgehog home in your own garden at britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-homes.

To donate to BHPS visit justgiving.com/campaign/HAW19.

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