SIX baby hedgehogs and their mother have been rescued by electricity workers.

The animals were discovered by UK Power Networks’ linesmen Lee Cocklin and Danny Bishop, who were moving cables in Stane Street, Pulborough.

After phoning their environment adviser and consulting an ecologist, the pair contacted Rangers Lodge Wildlife Hospital in Horsham for help.

The animal hospital will be care for at the hedgehogs until they are ready to be released in the same spot they were found.

The Argus: Six baby hedgehogs and their mum rescued by power pole workers Six baby hedgehogs and their mum rescued by power pole workers

The baby hedgehogs weighed about 235g, while the mother weighed 1.05kg.

Hedgehogs typically need to weigh 600g to hibernate, but often only hibernate when food sources disappear such as slugs, worms and beetles.

Lee spotted the group of hedgehogs after moving a fence panel near an electricity pole while conducting the work.

“I didn’t see them at first because they were covered in grass. They were snuggled up together in the nest,” he said.

“A couple woke up and started walking away so Dan and I put them back in the nest with the others and made calls.”

A passer-by provided a shoebox to house the animals until they were taken to the wildlife centre.

Lee added: “It was very exciting to see them, and I’ve heard they are doing well, which is good.”

The Argus: Six baby hedgehogs and their mum rescued by power pole workers Six baby hedgehogs and their mum rescued by power pole workers

At the centre, the family will be fed on dry cat food and tinned meaty cat food until they can be released.

Jane Burrows, Rangers Lodge Wildlife Hospital founder, said: “They have their mum with them, and she is providing them with plenty of fat and nutrients in her milk, and they are well developed babies.

“In the wild she would be taking them round the garden foraging, showing them what to do.

“The owner of the house will be taking them back but doesn’t have a hedgehog house yet and a normal sized hedgehog house won’t cover it.

“She is getting someone to make a big house so they can go back to the habitat they know, so they will only be staying with us temporarily.”

UK Power Networks’ environment adviser Heather Patrick said: “Every hedgehog family saved is a win.

“At this time of year babies are more vulnerable and need to be a certain weight to survive the winter months.

“If you come across hedgehogs late in the season it is a good idea to weigh them before deciding whether to release them or contact a rescue centre.”

The Rangers Lodge Wildlife Hospital in Horsham is currently caring for 50 hedgehogs.