HEREFORDSHIRE Nature Trust is urging people to watch out for hibernating hedgehogs when they light their bonfires this year.

Hedgehogs started hibernation around the beginning this month when temperatures dropped below 16 degrees, at the same time as people were building bonfires to clear autumn garden debris.

To hedgehogs, a ready-made nest such as a bonfire or compost heap is an ideal bed, but they could be killed when the bonfire is lit.

The trust is therefore advising people to make a simple hedgehog check with a torch before it is lit.

Bonfires should not be built too far in advance of being set alight, and a hedgehog box should be built in the garden to encourage the animals to use it.

Any hedgehogs found should be transferred to a hedgehog box or somewhere dry and safe away from the fire.