SOMERSET Wildlife Trust is being overrun with hedgehogs and visitors to Taunton Flower Show will have the opportunity to meet some of the charity’s cuddly new friends, this weekend (Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8).

Hundreds of knitted hedgehogs are being sent to the Trust’s Wellington Road HQ, with dozens more arriving every day.

The invasion is a result of SWT’s popular Knit for Nature campaign which aims to raise awareness of declining hedgehog numbers and raise funds that will help to conserve all wildlife in Somerset.

The Trust’s events and community fundraising manager, Amanda Brazington said: "We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from Somerset’s knitters and we’re delighted to have been invaded by hordes of cuddly hedgehogs – they’re all over our offices.

"We would love to receive lots more and I hope the hedgehogs’ appearance at Taunton Flower Show will encourage even more people to pick up their needles and knit for nature."

Rustle the Hedgehog and Bluebell the Baby Hedgehog knitting patterns will be available to buy from the Trust’s stand at the show, or can be purchased via the Trust’s website, priced £3.50 and £2.50 respectively.

The Knit for Nature project also supports the charity’s continuing efforts to encourage more people to try wildlife gardening by turning over all, or part of their gardens to nature.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is planning a big event for the autumn, including the sale of the knitted Rustles and Bluebell to raise funds for the charity.

In the meantime, the county’s knitters can share their photos and stories on social media using #knitfornature