A campaign to boost hedgehog numbers has been launched by Westminster Council.

Research shows the animals' numbers have dropped by 30 per cent since 2001, and experts say they could disappear from the capital by 2025.

The spread of patios and decking in gardens is said to be partly to blame. Westminster is working with The Royal Parks, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and London Zoo to encourage Londoners to create hedgehog friendly gardens and increase biodiversity generally. They say it is particularly important for sheds, piles of debris, hedgerows and compost heaps to be left untouched, if possible, until July, as this is where the animals nest. If a mother hedgehog is disturbed after the birth of her hoglets, she may desert the litter or even eat it.

Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, said: "We ask that gardeners look out for their spiky friends at this time of year, as nests can easily be disturbed.

"Providing a little meat-based pet food and fresh water every night will ensure she doesn't have to go too far from the nest and will therefore encounter less danger."

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