Gardeners are being urged to drill holes in the bottom of their fences in time for summer - to help a garden favourite which has become seriously endangered.

Hedgehog numbers are significantly down in the UK in recent years. The species has been hit hard by changes to the as well as modern gardening, household and lifestyle decisions about how we run and manage our homes and gardens. But should be doing everything they can to attract the spiky creatures into their gardens this spring and summer - because hedgehogs are actually a great pest exterminator.

Hedgehogs love to gobble up various that gardeners are constantly battling to keep under control and away from prized fruit and veg crops or flowerbeds.

The RSPCA says that hedgehogs are always on the move, but they need help to get in and out of .

They said: "Hedgehogs are one of Britain's most recognisable and well-loved wild animals. Hedgehogs are a gardener's friend, as they eat beetles, caterpillars, worms and other invertebrates.

"Did you know as many as 10 different hedgehogs may visit a over several nights? This could mean 'your hedgehog' is actually a number of different ones visiting at different times. The European hedgehog is one of around 16 different species found throughout the world. They are also the species that are most often admitted to our specialist wildlife rehabilitation centres.

"Hedgehogs can travel around a mile every night, so they may need help to get into and out of your garden. Try cutting holes in fences, removing bricks from walls, or digging tunnels under the garden boundary. Hedgehogs can travel through gaps as small as 13x13cm, so these gaps don't need to be large.

"Replacing garden fencing for native hedgerows provides access through your garden for hedgehogs. Hedgerows also provide shelter for other wildlife too. Remember to check with your neighbour before making a highway."

Sadly, hedgehog numbers are significantly down in recent years, and one reason put forward to explain the drop relates to solid, impenetrable walls and fences being put up around houses.

As wildlife shop NHBS says: "Research suggests that this is partly because it is becoming harder for hedgehogs to move freely due to an increase in the number of solid walls and fences being erected around gardens.

"This reduces the available foraging area and so restricts the amount of food that they can eat as well as reducing the possibility of meeting a mate. Creating a hole in a garden wall or fence will allow your local hedgehogs to pass through from garden to garden safely."

You can do this in a rough and ready way by simply cutting a small, roughly hedgehog sized hole in the bottom of the fence, or you could raise the entire panel by a few inches so that a hedgehog can squeeze underneath (but not so large that a person could).

Alternatively, simply cut a few inches of wood off the bottom of the fence so that hedgehogs can slip under.

You might think this makes it easier for cats, but they can leap over even six foot fences, so it won't increase feline invaders.

If you want to do it properly, NHBS sells a hedgehog hole fence plate which will add a sturdy metal enforced gap to the bottom of your fence.

NHBS adds: "A hole measuring 13cm by 13cm is the right size for a hedgehog to pass through but too small for most pets. Once you have made your hole in the fence or wall, you can fix the Eco Hedgehog Hole Plate to the fence, ensuring that the hole does not get blocked or stretched.

"The plate has six screw holes, three along each side, which can be used to fix the plate to your fence or wall. Additional holes can be made in the plastic if required."