Hedgehogs are in heaven in Worcestershire as numbers stand out in sharp contrast to national figures.

Hedgehogs has been declining steadily in recent years, but they continue to thrive in the West Midlands.

Numbers have dropped by as much as 20 per cent across England and Wales since 2001. However, levels of hedgehogs across the West Midlands have been fairly stable throughout this period, according to the Mammals Trust UK.

The Mammal Trust says more research is needed to know why levels are declining, and why they are stable in this region. Possible reasons for the decline are the destruction of hedgehog-friendly habitats at field edges and verges, and the over-use of pesticides on acres of farmland.

More recently the hot weather has caused problems for the creatures. The British Hed-gehog Preservation Society reports that water is in short supply and the dry ground makes it harder for the hedgehog to dig for slugs and worms.

This is a particularly important time of year for hedgehogs, as the females are busy collecting nest materials and preparing to give birth to litters of hoglets. At this time of year hedgehogs need all the help they can get.

Vale Wildlife Rescue in Beckford, near Tewkesbury, is set to hold a Hedgehog Awareness Weekend on Saturday, and Sunday July 23 and 24. The manager, Caroline Gould, says the best way to help hedgehogs is to leave dishes of water outside.

If you wish to feed hedgehogs you should provide good quality cat or dog food. Bread and milk, the traditional gift left for hedgehogs, is very bad for the animals. Hedgehogs like gardens with lots of shrubby ground cover.

To contact the British Hed-gehog Preservation Society call 01584 890801 or visit www.software-technics.com/bhps.