For the LOVE OF HOGS

Marian Grimes, 63, transformed her home into a haven for hedgehogs in need

When mobile hairdresser Marian Grimes, 63, from Norfolk, found a hedgehog in the road one day, seven years ago, she instinctively knew something was wrong.

Having grown up in the countryside, feeding the birds and loving nature, she knew the little fellow was in trouble.

‘I initially picked him up and put him under a hedge,’ says Marian. ‘But something stopped me leaving him there. I thought, “No, hedgehogs shouldn’t be out in the day.”’

She took the hedgehog – who she named Paul, after her husband – to a friend, Sandra, who ran a hedgehog sanctuary. Fortunately, Paul recovered, but Marian soon discovered that Sandra had to give up her work.

‘I was worried,’ Marian says. ‘Who would take in hedgehogs without her?’

Marian’s mind was made up and, learning from Sandra, she decided to do her bit for the prickly folk of Norfolk. Soon word had spread and people began to bring her animals they had found.

‘I had my first double hutch made and my first residents were Hori and one-eyed Mr Friday,’ Marian recalls.

They were first kept in the conservatory, where Mr Friday would bang on his cage when he wanted feeding.

‘He even came up to the mesh to touch noses with me,’ says Marian, ‘and I would often bring him through to sit on my lap in the lounge.’

Marian carried on learning from Sandra and also took a course, but there were a few teething problems.