Will Brexit affect hedgehogs, birds and frogs?

The charities say yellowhammers like this one might be a risk

Three wildlife charities want the British government to do more to protect hedgehogs, birds and other animals that they feel might be at risk after Brexit.

While the UK was part of the European Union (EU), a lot of the rules that farmers had to follow came from the EU.

But now that the UK's left the EU, the charities WWF, RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts want to make sure that wildlife will still be protected as much as it was.

Dragonflies are one of the creatures the charities are concerned about

They're worried that otherwise creatures like frogs and dragonflies might suffer if ponds aren't protected as much, and birds and animals like yellowhammers and hedgehogs might have difficulties if hedgerows end up being cut down during bird nesting season.

The topic of farming and the environment was talked about by MPs on Monday, when they discussed a new Agriculture Bill that will see farmers paid to protect wildlife and the environment.

However the three charities don't think that is enough and want new rules to be put in place and more done to make sure the rules are followed to help protect these animals, as part of the bill.

The government, though, says it is a "world leader" on protecting the environment and that will not change.

"We will not lower the exceptionally high environmental standards we already hold," a spokeswoman for the government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.

"In fact, leaving the EU means we can transform British agriculture to reward farmers for enhancing the environment, tackling climate change and protecting our wildlife for future generations."

Hedgehogs are one of the small animals that the charities are worried about

Ponds provided important stepping-stones for wildlife including frogs and dragonflies