'Fantastic outcome' for hedgehog in farmyard fix

Rescuers have hailed a "fantastic outcome" after a hedgehog was saved from an underground water meter.

Yorkshire Water worker Bailey Hall was carrying out a routine smart meter upgrade at Hollingthorpe Farm in Wakefield when he spotted the hedgehog trapped inside the chamber having fallen in.

With help from the farmer and colleagues who arrived with specialist digging equipment the hedgehog - named Bailey after her rescuer - was retrieved and passed into the care of Prickly Edge Hedgehog Rescue.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "We're grateful to everyone involved and to Bailey for acting so quickly. Situations like this can be very dangerous for hedgehogs."

Yorkshire Water said Bailey the hedgehog was assessed and showed no signs of dehydration or injury but was being closely monitored.

Hall said: "When I arrived, I saw the chamber was open, I wanted to make sure everything was safe before starting work.

"I'm glad I checked inside and spotted the hedgehog. It was a real team effort to get her out and it's great to know she is doing well."

Earlier this week, a hedgehog was rescued from a 7ft (2.1m)-deep ground pipe on an Army camp in Blandford Forum, Dorset.

According to the RSPCA, hedgehogs are a species vulnerable to extinction in the UK, mainly due to the loss of their natural habitat.

You may be more likely to spot the spiny mammal at this time of year as they emerge from hibernation.

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