Prickly situation: Hedgehog is rescued after getting stuck behind a washing machine in Whiteley

The creature was discovered by Gilly Hayden in Whiteley while she was sweeping underneath her utility unit.

The frightened hedgehog scurried away and hid underneath the washing machine before getting itself trapped.

A team from animal welfare charity, Hamble Hedgehog was called in to rescue the creature.

Elaine Gardener, 35, was part of the volunteered team scrambled out to rescue the hedgehog. She joined the charity as a volunteer in 2019 but works full time as a microbiologist.

Elaine said: ‘I was diagnosed with autism just before Christmas and I know that hedgehogs is my special interest so I have learnt as much as I can and share as much information as I can to help them out as much as I can as they are vulnerable to extinction.

‘The lady cried because she was so overwhelmed and had never seen a hedgehog up close properly so she was taking nice photos.’

The hedgehog rescuer decided to name her Gilly, and after staying at Elaine’s house and being checked, Gilly was released back into the garden of the home she was found in.

Elaine built a food station for the hedgehog so that she could venture back into the wild when she was ready, but had shelter until then.

She said: ‘She is out there having lots of adventures.’