CUTE newborn hedgehogs are the latest arrivals at an animal rescue centre in Essex.

CUTE newborn hedgehogs are the latest arrivals at an animal rescue centre in Essex.

Sonic and Spike were bought into Wildlives in Thorrington after their nest was accidentally disturbed and their mother rejected them.

Now the pair are being fed formula milk and sheep's colostrum while they grow to full strength and prepare to be released back into the wild.

Wildlives owner Rosie Catford said the brothers would probably be given back to the couple who accidentally disturbed the nest to be put out in their garden.

She said once hedgehogs had been handled by humans they became alien to the mother hedgehog who would either eat them or reject them.

It is thought in Sonic and Spike's case their mother probably ate some of her babies but left the surviving pair.

They were about a day or two old when they came into the centre on June 1 and weigh about 30 grams. They will not be released back into the wild until they are about 450-500 grams.

Wildlives has a long waiting list for hedgehogs because people want them for pest control in their gardens.