A charity is alerting people to the hidden dangers that animals face during the winter.

According to Leatherhead based animal charity, Wildlife Aid, there are added risks for animals both wild and domestic this time of year.

With temperature dropping, wild animals are more likely to venture into buildings such as garages and garden sheds in search of warmth, shelter and food and it's in these sorts of buildings where the deadliest dangers lurk.

In recent week the charity, which rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured wildlife has reported a dramatic increase in the number of small animals being killed in and around garages.

Many of them have tried to drink spilt liquids such as anti-freeze, or have been poisoned by other toxic substances. Wildlife Life Aid founder, Simon Cowell said: "Anti-freeze has a sweet smell and taste that attracts animals, but it is deadly. Just a couple of licks of anti-freeze (ethylene glycol) are enough to kill an animal.

"Be particularly careful with anti-freeze,  and keep lids on all containers when not in use. In the past few days we have been called out to deal with six foxes and four hedgehogs, all of which had obviously drunk toxins which they had found on the floor of people's garages, sheds or other outbuildings.”