People are being urged by Northumberland Wildlife Trust to check for hedgehogs before lighting bonfires.

As hedgehogs search for hibernation spots, unlit bonfires offer an ideal shelter

Geoff Dobbins, Northumberland Wildlife Trust estates manager, said: "To a hedgehog looking for a place to sleep, an unlit bonfire is a ready-made five-star hotel, so we urge people to give inspection of their bonfires top priority before lighting them.

"It only takes a minute to do but can save hundreds of these lovely animals from a painful death.

"Hedgehogs are great friends to gardeners as they are natural pest killer.

"However, numbers are in decline due to increased pesticide use and we need to do all we can to help them so try and provide a few twiggy places for hibernation - small piles of logs and leaves are ideal and do not keep your garden too tidy - what a great excuse not to do the garden!”

The trust has issued guidelines to help protect hedgehogs.

This includes building bonfires as close to the night as possible and searching bonfires with a torch and rake before lighting.

Move any hedgehogs to a ready-made hedgehog box and rake up grass cuttings or leaves to make an alternate home.