FIVE hedgehogs taken to Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre have been re-homed at Bridgwater College’s Walled Gardens of Cannington.

The college hopes the three juveniles and two adults will form a colony and thrive in their new environment.

The juveniles had been found abandoned in the only hedge left within a building development, while of the two adults, the male was rescued after being spray painted.

The college says the Walled Gardens are the perfect location for them, as they will be able to wander freely at night without bumping into visitors, and will have plenty of dark, cool areas to sleep in during the day.

Secret World has also donated five hedgehog houses so each hedgehog can have its own space, as they are naturally solitary animals.

Sara Cowen, animal care manager at Secret World said: “We hope to reintroduce as many of our hedgehogs as possible back into the wild so it is great to be able to re-home these hedgehogs in a safe environment, where hopefully they will be able to thrive and form their own colony.”

Jayne Alcock, grounds and gardens supervisor, said: “We were delighted to receive the call from Secret World asking us if we were able house some hedgehogs.

“We felt it was important to take part in the effort to safeguard the future of this important British mammal.

“Hedgehogs are known affectionately as the Gardener’s Friend as they eat slugs, snails, insects, insect larvae, beetles, and fallen fruit.

“We have been feeding them cat food and providing water to help them settle into their new environment.

“We hope to create a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with the gardens’ newest inhabitants.”