AN animal rescue charity is stressing the importance of keeping hedgehog homes dry to ensure their safety and success.

ELM Wildlife are reminding people to place an upturned pot of straw near their hedgehog house so that current residents can add to their existing bed.

‘It is really important they have a base to protect the bottom from soil, damp and wet leaves’, the charity said.

‘Raise them up slightly so that they can stay out of the damp and wet ground’, the charity added.

ELM Wildlife, which began in 2018, has become one of the biggest animal rescue charities in Devon, operating from its rescue centre at Seale Hayne.