ALTHOUGH there are three weeks to go until November 5, conservationists are asking people not to start building bonfires until the day before - in case they become "hedgehog hotels" in which Prickles might be burnt alive.

For this is the time of the year when hedgehogs, voted Britain's most popular mammal, is seeking a cosy nest for its winter hibernation - and a bonfire looks like a five star bet.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is urging gardeners and Guy Fawkes organisers to store bonfire material in one spot and then move it carefully to the actual bonfire site.

Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS, said "Piles of bonfire material look like five star hotels to a hedgehog in search of a hibernation site. It is crucial to dismantle and move bonfire material that has been stored in advance on open ground. Move it to another spot just before lighting.

"Ensure it's moved to clear ground - never on top of a pile of leaves as there could be a hedgehog underneath, and not too close to pampas grass which can ignite very easily and is another favourite spot for hedgehogs to hide under."