Hedgehogs are an asset to the garden

It is not a scene from a 1960s gangster movie, but a real life story of two lucky, little hedgehogs in Northern Ireland.

Bonnie was brought to the Happy Hedgehog Rescue Unit in Belfast just before Christmas because she was born too late in the year to hibernate.

She was named Bonnie because she was a bit of a character and the smallest of a litter of six.

Then along came her partner in crime - a hedgehog from east Belfast which had been attacked by a dog.

Naturally, the centre staff called him Clyde. He had two puncture wounds and had to be put on a course of antibiotics.

But after care and attention from staff, other groups and children, the creatures made a full recovery.

They were released together into the wild at Magilligan Field Centre in Limavady, County Londonderry, on Wednesday.

Liz Wallace who is based at the centre said it was a "very special day".

"Many people have helped Bonnie and Clyde regain their strength and it gives us all great pleasure to share this happy event with children.

"It allows us a rare opportunity to see these unobtrusive, secretive little animals and help them to return to their natural habitat with the help of a specialised "hedgehog box" placed discretely in the grounds.

Hedgehogs play a very important part in the natural and cultural heritage of this country. They are our only spiney mammal Vanessa Reavy Happy Hedgehog Rescue Unit

"Bonnie and Clyde will take up residence in the wild area behind the pond and hopefully stay to enhance our natural environment."

Vanessa Reavy runs the Happy Hedgehog Rescue Unit, which receives about 200 hedgehogs a year.

She said the hedgehogs brought to the centre were sick, injured or orphaned.

"We get a lot of hedgehogs that have lost their limbs and snouts by garden strimmers. A three-legged hedgehog can survive pretty well, they would go to walled-in gardens rather than be put back into the blind.

"We also get quite a few blind hedgehogs in. They go to safe environments where there are no predators.

"Hedgehogs play a very important part in the natural and cultural heritage of this country. They are our only spiney mammal. They are great for the garden, eating slugs, snails and caterpillars."

Andy Griggs, from Talnotry Avian Care Trust who brought the hedgehogs to Magilligan, said his group was involved in a range of educational projects.

"Many of the animals are helping to teach children and adults of all ages and abilities about care for wildlife, and respect for the environment," he said.