A HEDGEHOG rescue service, which has released hundreds of these animals back into the Pembrokeshire countryside after nurturing them back to health, is relocating.

Beryl Steadman has run the Pembrokeshire Hogspital at Crowhill, Haverfordwest, for 13 years but now, aged 77, she is retiring.

The Hogspital will now be based at Sutton, near Haverfordwest, at the home of

Ginny and Russ Spenceley, who run Silent World.

Hedgehogs are now considered an endangered species and a succession of warmer winters mean that fewer hedgehogs are hibernating. This partly explains the high number of hedgehogs – 190 – that the Hogspital has dealt with in the last 12 months. “Some have hibernated but are waking up again because it has been unusually warm,’’ says Beryl.

She had been volunteering at the seal sanctuary in Milford Haven when a member of the public arrived with an injured hedgehog. Beryl cared for it and the following year there were another three to look after. “It all started from there,’’ Beryl recalls.

Many of the hedgehogs that she has cared for were either sick, injured or orphaned.

Beryl has fond memories of all the hedgehogs she has cared for but none more so than Lloyd, a blind hedgehog. “He was absolutely gorgeous, he cried to be picked up and loved being cuddled.

"He never hibernated and was always on the go. He lived five years in the 18 months I had him!’’

Beryl said she had achieved an 80% success rate of hedgehogs recovering sufficiently to be released back into the wild.

“We have a brilliant vet, Lance Jepson, who has played a big part in that,’’ says Beryl.

She admits that relinquishing her involvement in the Hogspital will leave a “massive void’’ but says she will still be on hand to give advice when needed. And she will keep an incubator in her office, next to her sewing machine and computer, for any emergencies.

The new contact number for the Pembrokeshire Hogspital is 07974 681659. Callers are urged to leave a message if there is no immediate reply.