Reader TTS

"IT’S NOT EVERY DAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN SCHOOL" 10:51, 02 Jun 2025Updated 11:00, 02 Jun 2025 Two teachers had a surprise when they noticed a missing drain cover in the

playground. Lauren Williams, an early years manager, and Alex Taylor, a key stage two teacher, said they went to put the cover back before the children at Carr Mill Primary School in St

Helens, went to play outside. However, when they looked inside, they found a hedgehog stuck stuck 12 inches down the drain. The teachers did their best to free him, but the hedgehog was

wedged in too tightly. Lauren said: “We noticed one of the drain covers missing and went to put it back before the children came out on the playground when we spotted the hedgehog. We tried

our best to get him out for a few hours - we tried by hand with gloves on, but even then he was a bit too spiky, and we got some spoons to try and gently coax him out, but he was too big and

really wedged in. “Eventually we knew we’d have to call the RSPCA for help, as we didn’t want to stress the hedgehog out, and they were brilliant.” RSPCA animal rescue officer Libby Addy

arrived at the school on Thursday, May 1, and managed to pull the trapped hedgehog out of the drain using a snake hook. Article continues below She said: “While we always encourage people to

do their best to help wild animals in need, sometimes a bit of additional help is needed. "If you’re not sure what to do, the RSPCA website contains lots of advice and in this

situation, it was clear this hog needed some extra help. But we also want to empower the public to do their bit to help out animals too. "Together, we can make a kinder world for all

animals. The staff at Carr Mill Primary school did everything right and we’re so thankful for their help, this large hedgehog was just wedged in too tightly - but I’m glad we were able to

get him out and on his way safely.” The hedgehog was not injured after his ordeal and was released back into the wild. Lauren added: “The kids and all of us on the staff were thrilled it was

such a happy ending. The children were so inquisitive and all very excited - it’s not every day something like this happens in school. "And you don’t see many hedgehogs in the wild

anymore, especially not in the daytime. It was a good opportunity to educate the kids about wildlife, what to do if they find any wild animals who need help, and also the work that the RSPCA

does - we might have some future animal rescue officers on our hands, they all found it very inspiring.” Article continues below Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and

video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews - the official

Liverpool ECHO Twitter account - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the

Liverpool ECHO.