FAST food company McDonald's has responded to criticism of its McFlurry cartons after a North hedgehog sanctuary said they were leading to deaths.

Lynne Appleby has cared for 1,500 hedgehogs since opening Hog Haven in 1989 in Redcar, east Cleveland.

She has used all her savings to fund the haven, which costs £4,000 a year to run.

She is now looking after 70 hedgehogs after a recent influx of animals that were found trapped in the ice cream cartons.

She said the sanctuary may close because of a lack of funds partly caused by the influx.

She has begged McDonald's to redesign McFlurry cartons after dozens of greedy hedgehogs kept getting their heads stuck in lids discarded by customers.

She said: "They get stuck as they climb into the cartons.

"And even if they manage to get the top off so they can breathe, they cannot feed, often leading to a horrendous death.

"I have taken in ten hedgehogs in the last six days and we have about 70 at the moment.

"I have asked McDonald's to redesign the cartons because it is a huge problem.

"Discarded McFlurry lids are causing hedgehogs terrible deaths.

"I have also contacted Baroness Miller, the Liberal Democrats' spokewoman for the environment.

"Hopefully, she is going to take this up on our behalf. Something needs to be done."

A McDonald's spokesman said: "To date, we have undertaken significant work to research and develop several alternative designs that meet with our operational and consumer requirements.

"We are continuing our efforts to develop a suitable alternative and are working very closely with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. We are currently undertaking a small-scale trial with our latest cup design."

Ms Appleby, who opened the sanctuary at her home, is running out of money to maintain the service and fears she may have to close it. She said: "It's a 24 hours a day job and very expensive. It is tiring, but rewarding."

The only help she gets is from her 81-year-old mother.

Brownies from Darlington and children from local schools have raised money for the sanctuary, and staff from Cleveland Police raised £135 by dressing up for Halloween.

To help, call the sanctuary on (01642) 484920.