HEDGEHOGS are fast dwindling in numbers which is a big concern for survival of their population.

The poor garden’s friend is accident prone, with the main threat being traffic on the road, poisoning from pesticides, being tapped in netting and pools and ponds.

It is sad hedgehog numbers are on the slide.

You can encourage them to visit your garden regularly by making it hedgehog friendly. Here are a few tips:

• Put some dog and cat food meat (not fish) out and a bowl of water (but not milk, as it is bad for them).

• Leave a bushy corner of your garden for them to nest and snuffle for insects. Your new spiky friend will repay you as they are walking slug and snail exterminators.

• Even the simple advice of covering a drain can save a hedgehog falling down one.

• If you see a hedgehog wandering about in the daytime it’s probably in trouble.

• If we do not stop the decline of this amazing creature of the night it will mean the only hedgehogs future generations will be left to watch will be the Sonic variety on their video games.

For more information contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society at britishhedgehogs.org.uk.

Mr D COOPER, Southampton.