A Northumberland wildlife charity has encouraged people to check their bonfires for hedgehogs before lighting them this November 5.

With several fireworks displays and bonfires due to go ahead in the coming days, many will be getting excited and hoping that Storm Ciarán and autumn weather generally doesn't dampen Bonfire Night - which falls on a weekend this year. While many of us are do the utmost to keep our pets such as cats and dogs safe and comfortable when scared, they are not the only animals that are at risk at this time of year.

Hedgehogs are particularly prone to becoming trapped in bonfires as they mistake the piles of logs, wood and newspapers for shelter when they are moving around at night. This can lead to them becoming trapped once the bonfire is lit, according to Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

Already on the Mammal Societies' Red List of endangered animals, hedgehog numbers have halved in the UK since 2007 and there are now thought to be less than one million left in the country.

Geoff Dobbins, senior estates officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "To a hedgehog looking for a place to sleep, an unlit bonfire is a ready-made five star hotel. We are urging people to give inspecting their bonfires top priority before lighting them. It only takes a minute to do but can save hundreds of hedgehogs from an unnecessary death."

Northumberland Wildlife Trust's tips to keep hedgehogs safe this Bonfire Night

  • Build the bonfire as close to the night as possible so there is less chance of a hedgehog moving in.

  • Make the pile of material next to the bonfire site and re-build the stack before lighting it.

  • Search the bonfire for hibernating creatures using a torch and rake before starting the fire. Allow time for them to shuffle away as they have poor eyesight and, if threatened with danger, will raise their spines and roll up into a tight ball, which may cause delays.

  • Move any hedgehogs found to a ready-made hedgehog box somewhere dry, safe, and away from the fire.

  • Before Bonfire Night, make an alternative home by raking up grass cuttings or autumn leaves into a pile a safe distance from the pile; hopefully sleepy ‘hogs will choose to sleep there instead of in the unlit bonfire.

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