Hedgehogs on Trafalgar roundabout in Truro to be repaired

The nesting season has taken its toll as birds have stripped the faces of the coco fibre, Mr Budge said

A family of award-winning wooden hedgehogs on a Truro roundabout are set for a makeover.

After five years on the Trafalgar roundabout, the four creatures have deteriorated and need to be repaired.

The city council's parks officer, Richard Budge, said the faces, prickles and frames all needed restoration.

The hedgehogs won 'Roundabout of the Year' from the Roundabout Appreciation Society in 2019 and featured in the society's 2020 calendar.

The hedgehogs at their best in 2019 when the roundabout won Roundabout of the Year

Mr Budge said: "The nesting season has taken its toll as the birds are ripping off patches of the hedgehog's faces to use the coco fibre for their nest."

He said they would be repaired using sustainably sourced wood and coppice material from the Devichoys Wood between Truro and Falmouth.

They were designed and created by Emma Scott in Mellingey Mill, near Padstow and have been named Cecil, Patricia, Denzil and Kizzy.

The hedgehogs "have more than paid for themselves, with interest", Mr Budge said

They cost around £8,000 when they were commissioned but Mr Budge said they had brought a real value.

He said: "The hedgehogs put us on the map as they've been featured in national newspapers.

"They've more than paid for themselves, with interest."

He said one of the smaller hedgehogs, had a busy calendar of events booked.

After being repaired in April, it is due to feature in a garden created for Chelsea Flower Show in May, as part of the celebration of 60 years of Britain in Bloom.

After that, the hedgehog will form part of Truro City Council's display at the Royal Cornwall Show in June.