STUDENTS at a sixth form centre have been dealing with a prickly customer after opening up a ‘hedgehog haven’.

The hedgehog sanctuary was set up by staff and students from Salford City College and allows Animal Management students to get up close and personal with the creatures.

Teddy is the sanctuary’s first resident at Walkden sixth form and he was found by a local resident at the bottom of their garden in November.

At 640g Teddy was very small and he had a number of ticks that needed taking care of.

He is cared for by the students who take it in turns to feed, clean and weigh him to help him recuperate.

Mel Buckley, aged, 19, a Level 3 student from Little Hulton, said: “I have really enjoyed looking after Teddy.

“It has been a really good experience as part of my course and it’s great to see him more active.

“My favourite thing about college is working with all the different animals we have here and when I finish I want to work in animal care, preferably training with dogs or dealing with wildlife.”

Once Teddy has reached 1kg he will be released back into the wild in spring.

He has spent the winter indoors but, as soon as the weather gets warmer, he will be housed in a hutch outside to allow him to reacclimatise. In March he will be released back into the garden where he was found.

Sheryl Warren, Animal Management teacher, said: “We are going to be delivering a wildlife unit next term, so this exercise has been a great way to give the students an extra bit of experience.

“It also gives them something unique to talk about when they come apply for jobs in areas such as conservation, ecology or wildlife rehabilitation.”

The new centre has the capacity to look after eight hedgehogs at once. If you find a hedgehog in need of care, please contact Sheryl on sheryl.warren@salfordcc.ac.uk or emily.rostron@salfordcc.ac.uk.