OAK and Furrows Wildlife Rescue needs donations of newspapers to help them keep the 230 hedgehogs in its hospital warm and cosy over Christmas.

The centre, based at Blakehill Farm nature reserve near Cricklade, uses around 50 newspapers a day for bedding.

Staff in the newsroom at the Advertiser loaded armfuls of old copies into an wildlife ambulance destined for the centre yesterday.

But the animal carers need as much as they can get to help them over the festive period.

Emma Hickey, who works at the sanctuary, said: “It is vital that we collect as many newspapers as possible before Christmas.

“We shred the paper to give them a clean bed, this is done every day. But unfortunately we are beginning to run low on this.

“No matter how small the amount is, it will help us tremendously in this difficult winter period for the animals.”

They are also looking for volunteers to help them at the rescue service.

People can donate by bringing their donations to the centre between 9am and 5pm. It is open seven days a week. Newspapers without staples are preferred because they are shredded by hand.

More information is available online at oandf.co.uk or by calling 01793 751412.