A hedgehog was saved from certain death by a quick-thinking postie after falling into a drain. 

Kelly Protheroe, 31, was on her usual round delivering letters when she heard a strange-sounding noise.

After thinking that a bird was trapped somewhere, she then discovered that the source of the noise was a little hedgehog that had trapped itself in a drain and was quite distressed. 

Unsure of what to do and concerned about the heat she posted onto the Swindon Community Notice Board for help or advice and in no time one Swindon woman, Leah Hewlett, 44, had taken the matter into her own hands and rescued the prickly creature. 

The hedgehog was then taken to wildlife rescue centre RSPCA Oak and Furrows where it will be cared for until it can be released back into the wild. 

Kelly said: "I was working and didn't have anything on me and as an animal lover I just couldn't leave it, so I posted onto the Swindon Community Notice Board and it sort of blew up. 

"Leah went and was able to rescue the hedgehog, but other people went as well as one of them was already on their way there and the other lived in Purton. So lots of people wanted to help."

Leah said she lived around the corner from where the 'hog was and decided to try and help after being tagged in Kelly's post by a friend because she was close. 

"I wasted no time. I knew that at all costs that hedgehog was coming back with me. So armed with a six-way tool, net and gloves I jumped into action," she said. 

"I didn’t need the net because the drain cover came off so I could just reach in and scoop him out. He was so frightened and tired when I got him home."

Leah updated the growing number of concerned people on the Facebook post who were relieved that the poor creature was safe. 

"The support online was overwhelming and many others also played essential parts in his rescue. The most important being Kelly who first made us aware of him being trapped. I’m thankful that I was able to help," she added. 

Oak & Furrows has confirmed that the hedgehog is doing really well but needs fattening up a bit before it is released back into the wild.