A wildlife conservation team are in a “touch-and-go” battle to save the lives of two baby dormice abandoned by their mother and found in a pot plant at a garden centre.

Four baby dormice were discovered and taken to the Fur and Feather Wildlife Trust centre in Folkestone, who looked after the creatures for several days.

They were then moved to Wildwood in Herne, but two died. The remaining two are receiving round the clock care.

The Wildwood Trust is looking after the endangered creatures in a special nocturnal house which uses lighting to recreate nocturnal conditions.

They will provide warmth, food and care to keep the babies alive through the winter, and hope to later release the creatures back into woodlands.

Fiona Patterson, media officer at Wildwood Trust, said: “They were discovered by a lady shopping at a garden centre, in a pot plant.

“They were initially taken to another rescue centre, but they didn’t have the facilities to
offer the litter proper care so they have come to us.

“It’s been an Indian summer, so often mothers have two litters born this year.

"But when the weather gets colder the babies need to be able to get through the winter.

“They are doing well at this early stage, but it’s going to be touch and go.”

Hazel Ryan, Wildwood’s senior conservation officer, said: “We work tirelessly to protect these animals and are proud that we play such a major role to reintroduce the Hazel Dormouse back to areas where they have become extinct.

“Wildwood is not only one of the leading dormouse breeders in the UK, but is also an important centre for research into the behaviour and captive husbandry of the species.

“The hazel dormouse is now classed as extremely vulnerable to extinction but, through projects such as this, Wildwood hopes to tip the balance back in favour of the dormouse.”