British Hedgehog Preservation Society hits 11,000 members worldwide

A charity in south Shropshire battling to preserve the declining population of hedgehogs has recruited 11,000 members in three decades, it emerged today.

Bosses at the Ludlow-based British Hedgehog Preservation Society announced the figure as they celebrated their 30th anniversary.

Membership has been increasing during the past few years, with people as far away as Kuala Lumpur signing up.

Chief executive of the society Fay Vass said it was pleasing to see so many people with a passion for hedgehogs.

She said: "We have 279 members abroad, some from as far away as Malaysia, although all our work is in the UK.

"Some people are expats but some just have a passion for hedgehogs.

"Memberships of the society can vary from lifetime membership to yearly memberships and numbers have been steady during the last 15 years with an increase during the last couple of years."

Last month the society celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Golden Cross Pub in Clee Hill which, for one night, changed its name to the Cross Hedgehog.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne was on hand to congratulate the charity on its success, adding there seemed to be a worrying lack of hedgehogs roaming the countryside in south Shropshire.

Mr Dunne said: "It is a fine testament to the enthusiasm of the British for our wildlife that the British Hedgehog Preservation Society now has over 11,000 members built up over the 30 years since it was originally founded by former Shropshire Councillor Adrian Coles.

"The society believes there are 25 per cent fewer hedgehogs in Britain than a decade ago and I, for one, have not seen one for some time.

"The society provides advice on how to care for injured hedgehogs found along roadsides, and anyone interested in learning more should contact the BHPS on www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk"