A ROUTINE inspection of an underground storm tank ended up as an animal rescue operation when workers found a HEDGEHOG stranded in the container.

South West Water workers Joe Martin and George Cane found the spikey surprise while checking a storm tank at Blacktown, near Dartmouth, in Devon.

Storm tanks are protected by barriers to keep wildlife – and people – out, but hedgehogs are surprisingly good climbers.

So it proved with Aquarius, as he was later named, who had managed to clamber up the safety railings before venturing into the empty tank.

Joe, a recovery and treatment area manager for Wastewater Services, said: “I was walking the site as part of routine checks when I spotted a small ball of spikes down in the tank. Thankfully the storm tank was empty despite the recent rain. We improvised with a telescopic sampling pole, a bucket and a hoe to scoop him to safety.

“He looked cold and slow, so we moved him somewhere quiet and even tried feeding him worms. We contacted the charity Prickles in a Pickle because we thought we might need some expert help.”

Joe and George took their new friend to the Prickles in a Pickle rescue for help

The pair created a makeshift transport carrier from a cardboard box and dry vegetation gathered on site before driving Aquarius to the hedgehog rescue, in Stoke Fleming.

There, owners Alan and Judy took him in, assessed him, and gave George a tour of the sanctuary – run entirely from their home and caring for up to 200 hedgehogs at a time and around 1,000 each year.

Judy, co-founder of Prickles in a Pickle, said: “When Aquarius arrived he was very cold, thin, dehydrated and wobbly. He weighed just 260g.

“Thanks to Joe and George’s quick thinking, he’s now doing really well. He’s doubled his weight to 540g. He has a poorly hind leg that’s improving and some internal parasites we’re treating, so he’ll be staying with us over Christmas.

“We reunited him with Joe and George who wanted to visit and check on his recovery a few days ago. They’ve grown attached to the little chap and couldn’t believe how much he’d grown.

“Aquarius might not have survived Christmas, but thanks to these two, he will be happily fattening himself up even more.”

George and Joe have since been reunited with their special spikey surprise

Prickles in a Pickle is currently fundraising to build a dedicated hedgehog hospital so the charity can move out of the founders’ home and support even more rescues.

And back at Blackawton, South West Water has made the tank extra secure to prevent any future ‘adventurous’ hedgehogs attempting the same climb.

“It’s made our Christmas knowing Aquarius is on the mend,” added Joe. “He’s a tough little character, but let’s hope he’s less adventurous in the future.”

Aquarius is expected to be released near to where he was found once he has fully recovered. In the meantime, he will spend this Christmas Day snuggling up in his favourite festive hat.