POLICE were able to save a sickly hedgehog after spotting a man acting “suspiciously”.

Officers driving through Windmill Hill, near Hailsham, on Friday afternoon saw the man by the roadside and stopped to see what he was up to.

It turned out he had been looking at a small hedgehog, which should not have been out in the daytime during the winter.

Concerned about the animal’s size, and with more cold weather on the way, the Sussex Police officers called East Sussex Wildlife Rescue for advice before delivering the unwell hedgehog to the organisation’s hospital in Whitesmith, near Golden Cross.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue’s duty rescue co-ordinator Trevor Weeks said: “A big thank you to Sussex Police for delivering the hedgehog to us, they did the right thing in calling to check what course of action to take.

“Our on duty ambulances were unfortunately quite a distance away so, rather than wait for us to attend, the officers kindly drove the hedgehog across to us.”

Upon examination, the male hedgehog was found to weigh a measly 380 grams - making him too small to be able to survive hibernation. But, because he was delivered to the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue hospital, staff were able to look after him and are currently nursing him back to full health.

Trevor said: “We have named the hedgehog ‘Bill’ and will take good care of him. The actions of the gentlemen and of Sussex Police have saved this hedgehog’s life, and he will go on to live another day.”