BUSINESSES are being urged to join the ‘hedge-hole roll of honour’ and take steps to protect hedgehogs.

According to the latest report from the national Hedgehog Street campaign numbers are down 30 per cent in urban areas and 50 in rural once since 2000.

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To help combat the decline, HedgeOx, created last year by Hugh Warwick to help the prickly creatures in Oxfordshire, have already started drilling holes in walls to allow hedgehogs into gardens.

Mr Warwick explained this is because many new fences have a solid concrete base that prevents the animals from travelling far.

As well as individuals, DIY stores and fence companies are being urged to do their bit as part of a new campaign by HedgeOx and Low Carbon West Oxford.

Mr Warwick said: “So far we have written to and emailed every fence company and DIY store in the country with a rather attractive offer - a chance to become part of the HedgeOx Hedge-Hole Roll of Honour.”

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There will also be a celebration of all things hedgehog on Sunday at Florence Park Community Centre with a bake-off and fancy dress themed around the animal from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.

Local Environmental Action Florence Park have put the event together with HedgeOX and Earthwatch’s Naturehoods programme. Visit hedgeox.org.