A rescue centre for sick and injured hedgehogs near Ashford has been inundated with arrivals as demand for the service has soared just eight weeks after it was launched.

Lisa Steward from Pluckley started Thorne Hedgehog Rescue after her son found a hoglet in need of help in her garden.

She took it to Wrens Hill Hedgehog Rescue in Faversham and spoke with organiser Gabbi Simpson about the lack of rescue centres in east Kent.

Miss Steward, who has a degree in wildlife conservation, decided to help by setting up an Ashford centre to care for the animals in the town and surrounding areas.

The 44-year-old said: "Gabbi had to cover down to Rye, Ashford, Folkestone and Dover because there just isn't a rescue down this way and that's when we spoke about starting an Ashford branch.

"I planned to get everything ready to open for Autumn so I had time to get cages built but the need has become apparent and I have been non-stop.

"People find them, they phone up and I ask them to drop off if they can.

"I thought I'd start with five or six and do this as a hobby, but I currently have 21.

"I just can’t turn them away."

Miss Steward learned how to care for the hedgehogs and administer medication from Ms Simpson and since taking in her first hedgehog in May, she has cared for more than 60.

All those that arrive at Thorne Rescue Centre, a not-for-profit organisation, will be released back into the wild once they are fit enough, although the fate for some is tragic.

Miss Steward said: "We wouldn't ever keep them, the options are release or euthanise.

"They will always go back to where they came from if they can, or we have release sites for the ‘homeless’ ones, such as those found in roads, or where mum has run off.

"They are wild animals and the stress of living in captivity can cause conditions so we keep them for as little time as possible."

It's estimated there are less than a million hedgehogs left in the UK.

Human activities, and the increasing loss of countryside, are the main factors for their decline but there are simple things people can do to help the endangered species.

"The main way to encourage them is to have hedgehog highways, so a hole in the fence so they can travel between gardens so they are less likely to take risks crossing roads," Miss Steward added.

"Check wood piles because it's dry underneath and they like to nest in them.

"Make sure ponds are easy for wildlife to get out of as hedgehogs will drown in ponds if they get stuck."

She is also encouraging people not to use pesticides after caring for a hedgehog named Dennis who is in a critical condition after eating a blue slug pellet.

The chances of his survival are slim.

After just seven weeks and 60 admissions, Miss Steward expects the number of hedgehogs in her care at one time to exceed 100 by the winter and is asking for support from anyone who is able to help.

She said: "I thought I would be able to fund this myself but there are so many, I need a bit of help.

"I’ve got an Amazon wishlist, I'm always after tea towels, newspapers and little tapas dishes."

Lisa now works alongside Wrens Hill and Hogwinkles, also in Faversham.

Ms Simpson who runs Wrens Hill said: "There are rescues in Thanet and Medway but I believe Lisa is the first in Ashford.

"We get hedgehogs for all sorts of reasons mostly from human activity like strimming accidents, near drownings and dog bite wounds.

"Having Lisa on board has helped ease the pressure for me and Audrey (from Hogwinkles).

"Although we have three different names, we all work as one rescue."

On July 31, the trio will be holding a free hedgehog talk on Faversham Recreation Ground from 1pm for anyone who wants to learn about helping hedgehogs locally.

To donate to the rescue centres, click here.