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Lots of people like the idea of hedgehogs visiting their gardens, and you may be able to encourage them to keep returning if you place a common item outside. The adorable creatures are always lovely to see, and April is a time of year when you may just spot them a little more often.

It's normal to see hedgehogs in spring, as they wake from hibernation at this time of year and begin foraging. Even though they mainly wake in March, many are active in April, as they hunt for food and start the mating season too so you could be about to see them more in your garden.

However, if you do, there are a few things you can do to help care for them and ensure they survive. Not to mention, leaving some key items outside could help them to keep stopping by too.

Senior Horticultural Content Manager at Fothergill's Pim Dickson said there's an item you can leave outdoors to help the animals. With thousands of followers on social media, the brand is well worth listening to when it comes to expert advice.

Pim said: "Creating a thriving garden for wildlife doesn't mean letting it run wild. Just a few simple changes can transform your outdoor space into a sanctuary for birds, hedgehogs and beneficial insects.

"With the right approach, your garden can become a vital refuge for British wildlife, and you'll be rewarded with the sight of visiting birds, foraging hedgehogs and busy pollinators throughout the year."

He added: "One of the easiest ways to welcome wildlife is to resist the urge to have a perfectly manicured garden. Those fallen leaves you're tempted to clear away? They're a lifeline for creatures preparing for winter.

"Pile up leaves in a quiet corner, and you'll create the perfect retreat for hedgehogs, who are in desperate need of safe spots. These leaf heaps also attract insects, which in turn provide food for visiting birds.

"When it comes to pruning, think twice before binning all those plant cuttings. The hollow stems of plants are like five-star hotels for solitary bees and ladybirds looking for somewhere to shelter."

So, there you have it. When it comes to caring for hedgehogs, all you need to do is leave some leaves outside, so it's not even a lot of hard work.

Sometimes it can pay off to be a little messier in your garden. There are key reasons why you should do this too.

Little you may know, it can make a big difference to hedgehogs if you place a pile of leaves outside. It's a brilliant way to help them as they use them for foraging, bedding and building cosy hibernation nests.

To boost their benefit, create piles in quiet, dry corners (e.g. under hedges), avoid burning leaf piles without checking them first and consider leaving some areas of your garden "wild". These little piles are as good as a five star hotels to the little creatures.

They prefer dry, crunchy leaves so rake these into a pile to keep them dry. Generally, they like to use small leaves like birch, oak, hazel or hawthorn.

You can also combine leaves with log piles to create both shelter and a food source (beetles/insects). It's easy to attract them by using items you already have in your garden.

Just be sure you're vigilant if you see any hedgehogs during the day, as this could imply they're sick or that something is wrong. If you see one that looks unwell, pick it up carefully and place it in box with a wrapped hot water bottle (or a plastic bottle filled with warm water), but ensure it has space to move away.

Provide them with some water in a shallow bowl. Then contact a vet to get the help you need.