A boy from Hatfield has built homes designed to keep hedgehogs safe from predators.

Noah Foster, who attends St Philip Howard Catholic Primary School, decided he wanted to help the species after seeing signs of their struggling to survive in the school woodland.

The nine-year-old researched and designed the homes himself, before getting a little help from his grandfather, Patrick Webster, to build them.

Both wooden homes will now be donated to his school, with Noah proud to have helped an "important" species.

"Hedgehogs are so important to me and so is the environment," he said.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Hedgehog numbers have declined drastically since the 1990s.Hedgehog numbers have declined drastically since the 1990s. (Image: British Hedgehog Preservation Society (PA))

READ MORE: Photography student captures stunning close-up picture of fox

"I am really proud to have made two great homes for hedgehogs to enjoy. They will be safe from predators in them and be protected during their hibernations.

"I believe that if everyone does just one little thing every day to help the environment then our world will be a happy place."

"It was my privilege to help my grandson to create these hedgehog houses and I am so proud of the caring young man Noah is," added Patrick.

The UK's hedgehog population has drastically declined in recent years due to habitat loss, road casualties and competition for food, dropping from around 1.5 million in the 1990s to 879,000 in 2018.