HEDGEHOG lover Pauline Hindmarch has cared for more prickly patients than she would probably care to remember, so her latest guest was something of a mystery.

Three-year-old Pancho looked anything but a happy hog last year when it began losing its spines just before going into hibernation.

The hedgehog had been suffering problems at its usual secure garden and was brought to Mrs Hindmarch's hedgehog haven at Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, for a little attention.

Now, having been treated for a bad case of ringworm, the previously bald Pancho is slowly returning to normal in time for hibernating again at home in Grewelthorpe, near Ripon.

"I'm not going to be knitting a little woolly vest for him, that's for sure - he should be fine now" said Mrs Hindmarch.

Also requiring care at the sanctuary is Alley, a four-week-old hedgehog discovered in an alleyway in Topcliffe.

Mrs Hindmarch said it could be touch and go whether the youngster survives - but it is getting star treatment.

"Alley came in a couple of days ago with a very bad case of ringworm for such a young one, but I have managed to feed him with a bottle so we'll see how it goes," she said.