It's a topsy-turvy world for Miss Tiggy-Winkle and her friends at the moment as Hampshire hedgehogs are in danger of becoming the latest victims of global warming.

Arguments may swing one way and the other about global warming but one thing is for sure the humble hedgehog, the inspiration for the Beatrix Potter character, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, for so long a spikey and welcome friend in so many people's back gardens, is in a bit of a muddle.

The hedgehogs that could find themselves in trouble this winter are known as autumn juveniles, ones that are old enough to be away from their mothers but too small to hibernate.

The season for these yougsters can start as early as September and is busiest through until the end of November but the present warmer conditions can confuse hedgehogs into thinking its still breeding time and too early to hibernate.

As a result young hedgehogs could suddenly face winter temperatures but not be in strong enough condition to last through hibernation.

Concern is now mounting about the effects of climate change amongst the members of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, dedicated to helping and caring for these native UK animals or to give them their official latin name, Erinaceus europaeus.

One person who does so much to help Hampshire hedgehogs is Marian Salter, pictured, who, at the moment, is looking after 13 of her favourite animals at her Winchester home.

"I have been looking after hedgehogs for about 17 years now,'' said Marian. "Everyone of them is a different character, some are timid, others grumpy and there are those that can be very aggressive.

"Most people will have hedgehogs in the garden and don't know it as they come out at night when everyone is in doors.'' Marian has a special shed in her back garden where she houses the hedgehogs although they can often be found in her conservatory and even in her upstairs spare bedroom.

"There is a fear that the numbers of hedgehogs are in decline so it is vital that they should be looked after, especially during the cold months,'' said Marian.

"The ones I have are too small to hibernate so I shall care for them and feed them all through the winter and then hopefully let them go in the spring.''