A KIND-HEARTED Navy veteran rescued an injured hedgehog from his garden and took it to vets, who operated free of charge, before caring for it ready to be released back to its natural habitat.

John O'Driscoll, who lives in Upwey, found the hedgehog on Monday, February 22 while he was walking around his garden. The hedgehog, which Mr O'Drsicoll thought was injured, was curled up in a ball underneath a hedge so he picked it up, wrapped it in a towel and brought it inside.

The 78-year-old, who lives with his wife Jocelyn, took the hedgehog, which they fondly named Erbie, to Castle Veterinary Clinic in Broadway where it was taken into the care of vets.

Mr O'Driscoll said: "The vets were absolutely first class, they were so helpful. They immediately took Erbie to their surgery in Poundbury where they found a nasty cut under its chin which needed stitches so the hedgehog was sedated and stitched up.

"They then rang me the next morning so that I could go and pick Erbie up and they even gave me a special box to keep the hedgehog in overnight while it recovered from the sedation.

"They were so incredibly kind and there was no question of money or anything, they did it all for free. I cannot thank them enough for the excellent assistance they offered which probably saved Erbie's life."

Mr O'Driscoll, who served as a clearance diving officer in the Royal Navy for 30 years, kept Erbie for another night in his home where the hedgehog was wrapped up warm in a blanket and given special food bought from a pet food shop. The couple then released Erbie at dusk yesterday and hope it will have gone back to its proper home in their garden.

Mr O'Driscoll has always loved wildlife and enjoyed learning about hedgehogs while Erbie was in his care.

He said: "I have always loved hedgehogs. They are such lovely creatures, each with their own identity so it has been nice to learn more about them over the last couple of days while Erbie was with us.

"I am sad to see Erbie go but I hope it will come round in the garden again."