THE Leominster community is to celebrate a prickly but well-loved creature during an awareness week.

Businesses will get involved with 'Hedgehog Awareness Week' by hosting hedgehog-themed window displays between April 30 and May 6.

It is the idea of Cherilyn Roberts, who cares for the animals at her home in Leominster.

Members of Leominster Meeting Centre have also been busily knitting hedgehogs for the children who attend Honey Bees Day Nursery while adults with learning disabilities have been helping to convert hardback books into hedgehog ornaments.

Mrs Roberts said: "Not only do we have a number of hedgehogs who have taken up residence on various housing estates in the town but they are thriving, unlike in many other parts of the county. This is a result of a number of factors such as helpful householders and dedicated carers who work together with vet Nick Fisher and his team to ensure that we have healthy, happy hedgehogs in the town."

According to the Wildlife Trust, the hedgehog is now under threat and in the last 10 years, hedgehog numbers have fallen by 30%. There are now thought to be fewer than one million left in the UK.

It is hoped that the efforts will also be seen as a tribute to Major Adrian Coles, the founder of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, whop died at the end of March.

Mrs Roberts also encouraged anyone who is concerned about the A24 New Zealand trap, recently approved for use in England by DEFRA, to sign the online petition calling for its withdrawal.

Visit britishhedgehogs.org.uk or go to petition.parliament.uk/petition/183526 for more.

For more advice and help, contact Marches Vets on 01568 612266 or Mrs Roberts on 07572624739.