WE were delighted to see that the much loved, popular hedgehog has also been voted Number One icon for the environment (The Press, January 23).

However, despite their obvious popularity, hedgehogs living on the Western Isles are still under threat from a cull carried out by Scottish Natural Heritage. (Scientific evidence suggests that hedgehogs pose a threat to ground-nesting birds by eating their eggs.) There are hopes that the cull will be called off following a scientific study, commissioned by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and recently published.

This shows relocating the animals to the mainland is a practical and humane option.

Numbers of hedgehogs are thought to be in decline, so we really need to look after hedgehogs that visit our gardens.

Practical ways we can help is to always ensure a fresh source of water is available, offer meat-based pet food, and to leave a corner of the garden untidy to provide shelter and natural food for hedgehogs.

For other tips on helping hedgehogs, or to find out more about the work of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, log on to the website www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk or write to the address below.

Fay Vass, Chief executive, British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 3PL