SPARE a thought for our prickly friends this bonfire season.

Bonfires are made for weeks before being lit on November 5 which can encourage wildlife to nest and rest and hide in the pile.

Westmoor Veterinary Hospital in Tavistock took to social media at the weekend after a hedgehog had been taken to the practice after being found emerging from a bonfire badly burned with plastic around its neck.

It highlighted that the practice sees a lot of wildlife and hedgehogs at this time of year but it was the first time they had a hedgehog brought in which had been rescued from a bonfire.

A Westmoor spokesperson said: ‘We believe the hedgehog was stuck in some plastic that was within the fire and as the fire was burning, the plastic melted and enabled to hedgehog to escape.

‘This was a terribly sad case and this hedgehog had deep wounds around its neck from the plastic, as well as the bady burnt skin and spikes. Sadly there wasn’t anything we could do for this hedgehog apart from ending its suffering.’

To prevent this happening to other hedgehogs and wildlife, staff advised to light fires when the pile had been freshly made as leaving a pile for a night can give time for wildlife to move in.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s chief executive Fay Vass said: ‘If material is stored on open ground in advance of having a bonfire, it’s crucial to dismantle it and move it to another spot just before lighting. Ensure it’s moved to clear ground — never on top of a pile of leaves as there could be a hedgehog underneath and not too close to pampas grass which can ignite very easily.’

If hedgehogs are found, take as much of the nest as possible and place them in a high-sided box with plenty of newspaper. Ensure there are air holes in the lid and put the box in a safe place until after the festivities and then release the hedgehog back to the same area.