AS the days grow longer and brighter, Willows Hedgehog Rescue in Bromsgrove is urging gardeners to watch out for our prickly friends when pruning gardens for summer.

Hundreds of hedgehogs are injured and killed every summer from garden equipment, leaving many young hoglets orphaned.

The Bromsgrove centre are therefore urging residents to spend just a few minutes checking for wildlife before strimming the grass or cutting back shrubs.

A spokesperson for Willows said: "A hedgehog tapped by a foot, hand or broom handle while checking will be a little annoyed but will live to see another day. If you find a hedgehog nesting simply don’t work in that area.

"If you disturb a nest with mum or young in it, recover straight away and contact a rescue for advice."

Willows advises homeowners to make a small, five inch hole in their garden fences to allow hedgehogs to come and go.

Leaving some garden areas to go wild - with log piles, shrubs, long grass and leaf piles - can be a huge benefit to hedgehogs and allow them to create a home and find food.

Residents could also leave dry dog or cat food out with some water to keep local hogs happy.

The centre advises residents not to handle hoglets, and to contact the rescue centre immediately on 07518 354408 if hedgehogs are spotted out in daylight or injured.

Visit willowshedgehogrescue.co.uk for more information.