A group of injured badgers is being introduced back to the wild in a purpose-built enclosure.

Seven badgers nursed back to health after illness and road accidents have been released into a specially-created badger sett in a Leicestershire forest.

The animals were rescued by the Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital and the Leicester Badger Group.

They will live in the sett for around two months until they are allowed back into the wild.

It's a real mix of emotions but it's great to see them out in the wild where they should be

Angela Downham, Leicester Wildlife Hospital

The enclosure is built on land belonging to Severn Trent.

A fence keeps the animals in a confined area, but allows them to become orientated with their surroundings.

It is hoped they will also being to interact with the local badger population.

Angela Downham, of the Leicester Wildlife Hospital, said: "I suppose I have been a surrogate mother to them, especially the big one. He came in at three weeks old and had to be bottle fed.

"So it's a real mix of emotions, but it's great to see them out in the wild where they should be."

A web cam will be set up so the public can monitor their progress through the BBC Leicester web site.