A WILTSHIRE environmental group has urged locals not to use slug pellets in their gardens as they can kill hedgehogs foraging for food.

Sustainable Warminster has warned the UK's hedgehog population is declining and has now dipped below one million.

It says the use of pesticides such as slug pellets are among the main causes of hedgehogs dying.

Glenys Osanne-Turk, a member of Sustainable Warminster, said: "Hedgehogs are an important part of the food chain.

"Some of their main prey is slugs, snails, caterpillars, woodlice, earwigs, millipedes, fly and beetle larvae – all things that cause damage in the garden and to crops.

"Make sure their food isn’t poisoned, by avoiding weed-killer and pesticides as far as possible and don’t put slug pellets down."

Many slug pellets contain a chemical called metaldehyde, which can be dangerous to wildlife.

Conservation charity Hedgehog Street say that to be truly hedgehog-friendly, people need to stop using slug pellets or pesticides in their garden.