NINE hedgehogs have been employed in Barrington Court's walled garden, where they will be earning their keep as pest controllers.

The hedgehogs originally came from a wildlife sanctuary in Somerset and special houses were made for them in the kitchen garden at Barrington Court, near Ilminster, where they were tucked up for the winter.

The hedgehogs have only recently emerged from their winter hibernation and, at night, are feasting on the garden pests, especially the slugs.

Christine Brain, head gardener, said: "Hedgehogs are a gardeners best friend as they love to eat slugs. We are delighted to have our prickly tenants who are great pest controllers and offer us a way of avoiding pesticides.

"We can also provide a safe environment for the hedgehogs who are free to roam away from city traffic."

Visitors to Barrington Court, which is owned by the National Trust, can also try some of its home-grown produce in the restaurant.