THE RUBBISH collection after Christmas always seems massive but, what looks to us like the debris at the end of a feast, is the ideal spot for a Christmas dinner to many a small mammal. Bin bags are easily torn and, once inside, a little hedgehog in search of a snack can have a wonderful time. Unfortunately it can also find itself in a whole heap of trouble.

Rubbish bags may well contain juicy titbits, but they also have mesh bags (good for holding oranges) that trap small feet, plastic cream cartons that are easy to crawl into but not to reverse out of and yards of old sticky tape that make an effective noose.

Please try and avoid trouble outdoors this Christmas. Seal your mesh bags inside old wrapping paper, cut the sides of your empty cream cartons, and wrap up the used sticky tape.

These, of course, are only a few hazards. If we all dispose carefully of our Christmas litter, recycling as much as possible, we'll have the satisfaction of knowing that as well as enjoying the festive season we've helped watch out for some of our precious wild creatures.

Many of your readers will know of the existence of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Others may be interested in its aims:-

To encourage and give advice to the public about the care of hedgehogs, particularly when injured, sick, orphaned, treated cruelly or in any danger.

To encourage the younger generation to value and respect our natural wildlife and, by supplying information and giving lectures, to foster their interest in hedgehogs.

To fund serious research into the behavioural habits of hedgehogs and to ascertain the best methods of assisting their survival.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the Society, its activities and the wide range of hedgehog goods which are sold should send a stamped addressed envelope to the address below.

A H Coles

British Hedgehog Preservation Society

Knowbury House

Knowbury

Ludlow

Shropshire

SY8 3LQ

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.