Hedgehogs facing execution in Scotland are to be flown to Sussex.

Some of the thousands of prickly creatures on death row in the Outer Hebrides will be transported to Gatwick or Shoreham where campaigners will collect them and take them to new homes.

It is not yet known how many will make it to Sussex, escaping the mass cull on the islands of North Uist, South Uist and Benbecula to protect the native wild birds.

Trevor Weeks, of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance, is appealing for animal lovers with large gardens to contact him if they can offer a hedgehog haven.

He said: "As we are so far away from Scotland we are quite far down the priority list but if some of them come here they would be flown into Gatwick or Shoreham where we would collect them.

"We are appealing for gardens which are fairly wild and of a good size where a couple of hedgehogs can be released."

Four hedgehogs were introduced to the islands in 1974 and since then their population has exploded to 5,000. They have been blamed for a drop in the number of breeding birds on the Uist Islands.

Experts from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) believe the creatures are eating the eggs of ground- nesting birds but environmental campaigners say this is not true.

Mr Weeks said: "I believe they are being used as a scapegoat.

"If the cull goes ahead I will be going up there to protest."

The cull, likely to last several years, is expected to begin in the spring when the hedgehogs come out of hibernation.

Lindy King, who also works with East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance, said she could not see a good reason for the killing.

She said: "The only reason they are coming up with is they are taking ground-nesting birds' eggs. I believe it has now been proved hedgehogs can't open their mouths wide enough to take these eggs."

A spokeswoman for SNH said: "In late December our board looked at the various options and agreed the most humane way would be a cull of hedgehogs to save the nationally-important bird populations.

"But the board said if any groups wanted to go for a scientific trial to see if hedgehogs could be moved then we would provide them with information to do that."

Anyone who may be able to offer a home to hedgehogs should call 07815 078234.