RARELY can a new neighbour have generated quite such excitement.

Children, pub-goers and local householders formed an enthusiastic welcoming party on Saturday as Bishophill welcomed its newest resident: A heroic hedgehog called Noah.

The one-year-old was plucked from the flood waters of the River Ouse near Cawood in November then battled back from shock, hypothermia and pneumonia.

His courage was rewarded with a BBC York Flood Heroes award last month and he has now been given a new home in the Bishophill community garden opposite the Golden Ball pub in Cromwell Road, after the site was suggested by The Press.

Annette Pyrah, from Selby Wildlife Rescue, introduced Noah to the garden, where it is hoped he will breed, helping to reverse the fall in hedgehog numbers.

The Golden Ball held a community day on Saturday to mark Noah’s arrival, with a large community breakfast in the morning followed by book and clothes sales, a quiz at night and a raffle for various prizes including a giant hedgehog cake.

The nearby Bishopthorpe Road area was recently named one of the “coolest” in Britain in a study by The Times, with property much sought-after.

Noah settled for an old wine box, converted by a pub regular into an easily-accessible hutch.