Hedgehog rescued from drain by wildlife hospital

The hedgehog was discovered by a member of the public

Wildlife rescuers have saved a hedgehog they believe slipped down a drain.

Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital said the spiky creature was found by a member of the public who was putting rubbish in his bins and contacted the hospital on Thursday morning.

The hospital said a team pulled the hedgehog back to the top of the drain in South Wigston and gradually uncurled her so she was slim enough to fit through the tight hole.

Amy Blower, an animal care team leader at the hospital, told the BBC the hedgehog was checked over and found to be "perfectly healthy", so had been released back into the wild.

The hedgehog was found to be "perfectly healthy"

The hospital said the finder had now covered the drain to prevent any more animals getting trapped.

Ms Blower added: "The hedgehog would have been incredibly stressed being stuck down there.

"There was absolutely no way she would have been able to get out by herself so it's really important that services like ourselves are able to come and help those animals."