ONCE common in our gardens, hedgehog numbers have fallen by 30 per cent over the last 10 years, and there are now thought to be fewer than one million left in the UK.

They are disappearing from our countryside as fast as tigers are worldwide.

There are lots of reasons why our prickly garden friends are disappearing.

Their natural habitat is being lost to increased development, and broken up by fencing, walls and, of course, roads.

But, the good news is that there is so much you can do to help these charismatic characters in your neighbourhood.

Why not give your local hogs a helping hand and prepare your garden for when they wake up?

To make your garden hedgehog-friendly try making a log or leaf pile, avoid using slug pellets and let the grass grow a little wilder to attract hedgehogs’ favourite food – insects and worms.

Even better, join forces with your neighbours to make a ‘hedgehog highway’ by creating small holes in your fence so your prickly friends can snuffle from garden-to-garden.

Hedgehogs have poor eyesight but are quite curious, meaning they sometimes fall into holes and get stuck, so make sure you cover up any open drains and gullies.

If you have a pond, make sure you provide an access point so any hedgehogs that fall in can climb back out.

This can be achieved by using a ramp or placing some stones at one end.

You could also set up a feeding station by cutting a clear hole in a plastic storage box and weighing down the lid with bricks: this will stop cats and foxes taking the food.

If you are worried about attracting rats, don’t put out grain-based foods on the floor and take in any excess food when your hedgehog has been for a visit.

If you find an underweight hedgehog and you’re concerned about its welfare, provide tinned cat or dog meat and fresh water.

Contact your local rescue centre for advice before intervening.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society can offer advice and help you find your nearest rescue centre.

Email them on info@britishhedgehogs.org.uk