Wildlife rescuers are imploring the public to sponsor a Christmas hoglet to help save the species from decline.

Volunteers at the Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) in Leatherhead are struggling to care for around 200 young hedgehogd that have been saved in recent weeks and have launched a sponsorship scheme to help the spikey creatures.

Each year, the charity takes in many hedgehogs that are too small to survive the winter in the wild and this year the numbers are unprecedented, according to a charity spokesman.

The animals, which were born late in the summer and early autumn, have not had enough time to gain enough weight to survive hibernation, and instead need to be cared for at the charity's winter hedgehog nursery.

The cost of feeding and caring for each animal through the winter is about £50.

The WAF Christmas Golden Harry Appeal now aims to recruit sponsors to pledge £50 each, with the first 200 people to apply receiving a specially commissioned limited edition print from wildlife photographer Lawrie Brailey, plus a certificate.

The money pledged will go towards food, heating and vet bills.

WAF founder and CEO Simon Cowell said: "We are getting new admissions in every day and our nursery is filling up.

"Hedgehog numbers in the wild have declined over 96 percent in the last 60 years so saving several hundred of them, and sending them back out in the wild next spring when they can mate, will have a positive impact on numbers in Surrey.

"But we can’t do that without help from the public, which is why we’ve launched the Golden Harry Appeal. It is a golden opportunity to help save this iconic species."

To sponsor a hedgehog and get your unique gift, go to wildlifeaid.org.uk.