Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, in Sidlesham, is sending out a plea for people at this time of year to help Britain’s favourite garden visitor.

The hedgehogs’ fat reserves will have been depleted during hibernation, so it is helpful to offer them a meat-based pet food and fresh water to build them up again.

Brent Lodge founder Dennis Fenter explained: “To prevent cats from stealing food put out for hedgehogs, just get an old plastic storage box and cut a five-inch square hole in one of the short sides.

“Put the food under the upturned box and put a weight on the top of the box. An obstruction such as a brick five inches in front of the entrance will stop cats lying down and hooking the food out with their paws.”

Brent Lodge staff also advise that if hedgehogs are wobbling as they walk or are out ‘sunbathing’ during the day, they are probably hypothermic.

In these cases, the advice is to use gloved hands to pick up the hedgehog and pop it into a box with an old towel or t-shirt and some food and water, and then call Brent Lodge on 01243 641672 for further advice.

Mr Fenter added: “Watch out for hedgehogs in hedgerows, bonfire piles and compost heaps when spring cleaning the garden and using garden machinery.”

Unfortunately, Brent Lodge receives many hedgehogs that have been burnt when their cosy nest has been turned into a bonfire, and they are also particularly vulnerable to horrific injuries caused by strimmers.

So the message from Brent Lodge is to “think hedgehog” when tidying the garden.

For more information visit www.brentlodge.org