THE RSPCA is reminding people to keep an eye out for hedgehogs and other wildlife when lighting fires to make sure no animals are injured this Bonfire Night.

Hedgehogs and other small animals often climb into piles of leaves and wood to hide, forage for food and make nests, so the animal welfare charity is urging people to check fires before they light them.

Wildlife scientific officer Llewelyn Lowen said: “While bonfires may look like large piles of leaves and wood to us, to a hedgehog and many other animals they are great places to find food and build nests.

“Sadly it’s not uncommon for burned hedgehogs to be rushed into our care after they have been caught up in a lit bonfire - and at this time of year the risk is especially high.

“Because of this we are just reminding people about the importance of taking the time to check bonfires before they are lit.”

He added: “It can be very hard to see a brown hedgehog in amongst a pile of wood, and the only way to be sure is to move the bonfire by hand before actually lighting it. It helps to build the bonfire as near as possible to the time of lighting, to ensure hedgehogs and other wildlife are not sleeping in the pile when it is lit.” For more information visit rspca.org.uk