A WILDLIFE rescue centre near Selby has helped save a rare baby albino hedgehog, and is asking local people to look out for another which has been spotted.

The Wildlife Orphanage, at Barlby, is caring for an albino hoglet, called ‘Twinkle’, after it was handed in recently.

The centre took in an albino hoglet before Twinkle, but the first baby did not survive. This week the centre was told that another white hoglet had been seen in Barlby.

Annette Pyrah, who runs the centre, said: “The first baby was very poorly indeed and went downhill rapidly. However, we admitted a second albino baby from the same vicinity last week. This little female, who we have named Twinkle, also arrived very poorly, but thankfully we caught her just in time and she is now doing fine. Having two pure white hedgehogs in the space of a few weeks is quite exceptional.”

She is urging anyone who spots the third hoglet in the Barlby area to phone the centre on 07711 883072.

“Without the right medication, fluids and warmth, this little albino could quickly perish,” Annette said.