Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson has backed the “Save Harry the Hedgehog Campaign”.

He is one of 25 Parliamentarians of all parties to sign a Commons motion on the issue.

It reads: “We are alarmed at the rapid decline of the UK hedgehog population which is estimated to have dropped from approximately 36 million in the 1950s to under one million today, the dramatic decline of the species being in large part due to habitat loss and the proliferation of roads.

“We urge the Government to take heed of the Save Harry the Hedgehog campaign led by the Wildlife Aid Foundation and the former MP Ann Widdecombe, and to consider the campaign's call for the introduction of legislation specifically for the protection of hedgehogs.”