A wildlife expert has sounded the alarm after a hedgehog suffered a fatal wound believed to have been caused by a strimmer.

The animal was found maimed on a green in Minnis Road, Birchington-on-Sea, and taken for specialist emergency care.

But despite best efforts, the prickly critter could not be saved.

Kent nature expert Nik Mitchell believes the creature was slashed during the “careless” use of a strimmer.

The 41-year-old said: “This hedgehog was badly injured when an obsessive strimmer user carelessly shredded the spot it was sleeping in.

“Sadly it didn't make it but it goes on to show a real level of carelessness.

“It was very likely hibernating in a pile of leaves and sticks when it was hit by the strimmer and it would seem whoever hit it wasn't aware because it was left.

WARNING: Graphic image below

“You can tell it's been hit by a strimmer because a lot of the spikes have been cleanly cut.”

The opportunistic omnivore was discovered by a member of the public on December 14.

It was taken in by Mr Mitchell’s sister Sarah who rehabilitates the species for Kent charity Hedgehog Action.

He added: “There’s no way of knowing if it happened there or it wandered into the area.

“We really need to stop being so obsessed with tidiness.

“All too often our wildlife and environment pay the price.”

Hedgehogs are listed as vulnerable in the UK.

They are a protected species, meaning it is illegal to intentionally trap or harm them.

While there is a lot of uncertainty as to how many hedgehogs live in Britain, the latest figures estimate there are 879,000.