SLEEPY hedgehogs are already being sighted in East Lancashire as climate changes give them an early wake-up call.

The prickly creatures normally sleep away the winter until they sense the onset of warm weather in April or May, but this winter has been one degree above average for the third consecutive year.

Hedgehog experts believe this is why Mrs Tiggy Winkles have been sighted coming out of hibernation earlier than ever before throughout the North of England.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society believes hedgehogs may struggle to survive as their traditional food supply - summer pests such as earthworms and caterpillars - are scarce at this time of year.

A spokesman said: "Because of this, instead of just foraging at night, hedgehogs are moving out in the daytime in search of food. It is very dangerous for them.

"If anyone spots a hedgehog in the daytime, it could be in serious need of food and water."

Hedgehogs like muesli, chopped nuts, dried old scones, chopped apples and bananas or small amounts of dog and cat meat, but food should be cleared away after the hedgehog has finished to avoid attracting pests.

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