Orphaned hedgehogs rehomed in Archbishop's garden

The four hoglets - named Kermit, Peanut, Ginger and Corsa - were taken to Dringhouses Hedgehog Rescue after their mother died

Four orphaned hedgehogs have been given a new home in the Archbishop of York's garden.

The quartet - named Kermit, Peanut, Ginger and Corsa - were found abandoned at a farm in North Yorkshire after their mother died.

They were rescued and hand-fed back to health by Sarah Patterson, who runs Dringhouses Hedgehog Rescue from her garden in York.

All four have now been released in the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace, the home of the archbishop, Stephen Cottrell, who has also agreed to rehome more hedgehogs in the future.

Ms Patterson, who set up the rescue charity in October, said the baby hedgehogs had had a remarkable journey after arriving in a bad way,

"They were tiny, like the size of hen's eggs, and were really dehydrated," she said.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell (second from left) has agreed to help more hedgehogs in future

However, she said that after about two weeks the hoglets were were looking much happier and healthier.

"We did a soft release of them in my garden, where we put the two boys in one hedgehog hut and the two girls in another but they decided they all wanted to be in one nesting box together," she said.

'Blessed moment'

When they were ready to be rehomed, Ms Patterson, who had previously helped care for a poorly hedgehog found at Bishopthorpe Palace, contacted the Archbishop of York's office to ask if the family could live in his garden.

"Bishopthorpe Palace is an enclosed environment with an abundance of natural food, so it's a great place for these orphans," said Ms Patterson.

"The release was a blessed moment, it was so heart-warming because the Archbishop did a blessing over the hedgehogs."

Now the archbishop has committed to helping home more rescues in the future.

He said: “I’m so pleased that we are able to rehome rescued hedgehogs in the grounds here.

"Sarah has hedgehogs needing new homes, we have the space available to welcome them. We’re pleased to have this partnership with our local rescue centre.”

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