A HEDGEHOG suffering from heatstroke and wandering aimlessly at the side of a road was rescued by a member of the Welsh Assembly.

Clwyd West AM Darren Millar spotted the creature, which was unable to open its eyes, at the side of the road near the North Wales Business Park in Abergele.

The three week old hedgehog has since been named Bryn – after the RSPCA’s Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre in Colwyn Bay.

Mr Millar said: "When I came across Bryn, he didn’t look well at all.

"He was struggling to move and I was concerned he would end up under a car tyre.

"After scooping him into my flat cap, I took him to the RSPCA’s Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre for an examination before heading to Wern vet's in Abergele for treatment.

"He perked up a little on the way to the vet's as he cooled down due to the car’s air conditioning"

The summer heat can be dangerous for the nocturnal animals, with younger ones being particularly at risk.

Mr Millar added: “Bryn’s tiny; he weighed in at just nine grammes when I got him to the vet's and was very dehydrated and appeared to be suffering from a fever.

"He’s being fed on cat’s milk and cat food and is now making good progress.

"The vets are doing a great job with him.”

The British Hedgehogs Preservation Society advises anyone who comes across a hedgehog in distress to pick it up with gardening gloves, bring it indoors and put it in a high-sided cardboard box with an old towel or fleece at the bottom for the hedgehog to hide under.

Hedgehogs suffering from heat can also benefit from being given water and meaty cat or dog food to eat, with a filled hot water bottle wrapped in material.

For more information or assistance, contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 or via info@britishhedgehogs.org.uk.