After giving 30 years of devoted care to poorly hedgehogs, Maureen Webb at the Furzepig Hedgehog Rescue, based at Bridstow, near Ross-on-Wye, has announced that she is having to close her centre.

"It's all down to money," Maureen unhappily told the Ross Gazette, "It's heartbreaking to give it up. It's really been my life's work, helping the conservation of the hedgehog species."

Although people have donated food to Maureen's centre, it costs her £10,000 a year to run; as well as buying additional food, Maureen has to buy medicine for the hedgehogs, and her electricity bills are high, as she provides electric heat pads to keep the poorly hedgehogs warm.

Over the 30 years Maureen has cared for thousands of hedgehogs in need, including some newborns. The work involved with caring for these baby hedgehogs is intense; Maureen has dedicated endless hours to handfeed and toilet them, as hedgehogs are not able to go to the toilet by themsleves when they are first born.

"I'm passionate about it. I?didn't do it for glory or self-importance. I'm just trying to help the species survive," Maureen said.

For the full story, pick up a copy of this week's Ross Gazette.