Endangered hedgehogs have been granted safe passage across the grounds of a Brampton care home thanks to nature-loving residents.

Montague House has built an accessible hedgehog highway in their fencing to help save the endangered creatures.

Residents got behind the highway project after learning that, when hedgehogs can't get into local gardens, they face a life-threatening shortage of food supplies.

As well as building the highway, the home has committed to leaving food and water outside for local hedgehogs to feast on at their leisure.

Resident Pauline Agnew, 86, said: “I think hedgehogs are treasures - I love them.

“They are endangered and it’s not right. So many of our wildlife species are under threat and anything we can do to protect them is a good thing.”

Fellow resident Geraldine Hansome, 76, agreed that the hedgehogs should be cherished.

She said: “Hedgehogs cause no problems - they are lovely creatures.

“I have looked after hedgehogs in the past and they were delightful and so easy to care for. We must all do our bit to keep them safe.”

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is on a mission to establish the 13cm x 13cm gap highways in as many gardens as possible to create more habitats for hogs to visit.

They also encourage people to create feeding stations with water and meaty cat or dog food for visiting hedgehogs.

Wellbeing and lifestyle coach Gabrielle Butler said Montague House hopes to encourage the local community to follow their lead.

Gabrielle said: "It’s so important to protect our local wildlife, especially when the roads are so dangerous to them.

“We are hoping the Brampton hedgehogs will make good use of our highway.

“I hope we will encourage our neighbours to open their gardens up to create lots of linked spaces across the area.”