BONFIRE NIGHT, November 5, is a dangerous time for one of Britain's favourite mammals, the hedgehog - because they are in danger of being burnt alongside Guy Fawkes.

The hedgehog is already under threat from traffic, garden strimmers and slug pellets and today, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society issued an appeal to all people planning bonfires to search them carefully before setting them alight.

The reason: this is the time of the year when the animal is looking for hibernation sites and a bonfire - especially one constructed several days in advance - seems an ideal spot.

The society says that one of the best ways to avoid the danger is to build the fire only on the day it is to be lit. If not, please search the fire carefully and remove any slumbering hedgehog - complete with some of the nesting materials it will have pulled around itself - to a safe, sheltered spot somewhere else in the garden.