A warning to check for hedgehogs has been added to grass cutting equipment by Stafford Borough Council.

The local authority has teamed up with a hedgehog charity to reduce the chance of the prickly animals being injured or killed.

Stickers have been placed on around 20 strimmers used by the borough council as a reminder to check for the mammals before workers start cutting back grass and undergrowth.

The yellow warning says: “Please check area for Hedgehogs before using this equipment.” And now the borough council has been added to the charity’s ‘Hedgehog Heroes Roll of Honour’ for supporting the initiative.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society said they were “delighted” that the council had “agreed to display our strimmer warning stickers on their machinery.”

The charity runs campaigns and projects to raise awareness of the practical steps to help reverse the decline of hedgehogs in the wild, improve their welfare, and safeguard the future of the mammals. They also fund research that provides important new insights into the conservation and welfare of hedgehogs.

Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Hedgehogs are good for our environment, but we know their population is in decline. So, I am glad we can support this initiative to make people more aware of their possible presence before cutting grass.”

To see the full roll of honour, and more about the work of the charity, go to The British Hedgehog Preservation Society

Press Release No 6219