While we out enjoying this unusually hot heatwave, our garden Hedgehogs are struggling.

The harder soil and the lack of water has meant our prickly friends are having to travel further and further to find vital food and water sources.

And with impenetrable garden fences, hedgehogs are putting themselves at risk and crossing main roads in their search.

Hedgehogs have already faced massive declines over the last 50 years due to agricultural intensification, habitat fragmentation, an increase in roads and much more, so they need all the help they can get!

Essex Wildlife Trust is asking everyone to do two simple things to give Hedgehogs the best chance of surviving the summer.

Firstly, leave out a shallow dish of water to provide a much-needed source of hydration, but please remember only water, never milk.

Secondly, cutting a small hole around 13cm by 13cm wide – roughly the size of a CD – in the bottom of your hedge or fence allows hedgehogs to move from garden to garden and avoid having to cross dangerous roads.

Don’t forget to help the charity help them, by submitting your hedgehog recordings here: www.essexwtrecords.org.uk/hedgehogsurvey.