A HEDGEHOG found himself in a hole lot of bother after falling into a pipe.

The hedgehog is thought to have fallen into the pipe during the night and spent all day curled up in the pipe until passers-by noticed it, close to the junction of Mill Road and String Walk in Hailsham.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) founder Trevor Weeks MBE arrived to find the hedgehog about 2ft down inside the pipe. “The hedgehog was not exactly small and filled the pipe. There wasn’t any room for me to get my hands in to lift the hedgehog up so I had to use a dog grasper to try and free the hedgehog,” he said.

It took Trevor three attempt to get the hedgehog out and Trevor had to use a crowbar to help get the loop of the dog grasper in place properly.

“I was so relived once I had the loop in place and I could lift the hedgehog to safety” said Trevor, “the hedgehog was a boy and a good size and shape but I decided to bring him in for observations after being in the sun for most of the day.”

East Sussex WRAS is urging people to keep an eye out for pipes, drains and holes which are uncovered and to call the council or relevant authority to ensure drain covers are replaced and repaired as soon as possible. If anyone sees an animal trapped call WRAS on 07815078234.