Environ reports a 10% drop in the number of the prickly creatures since the last survey was carried out in 1994.

The research forms part of the "Wild About Leicester Survey" conducted by Environ and the city council.

Environ's Conservation Officer Gavin Fletcher said: "This is quite alarming if this is actually the state of the hedgehog population in Leicester - we are wondering why that decline has happened.

"They're fantastic creatures to have around, they're obviously a natural pest control and they don't harm anyone.

"They're lovely creatures to see around the city so if they're leaving our cities or we're killing them off in our cities, that's bad news."