A SMALL south Shropshire based charity has persuaded one of the world’s biggest fast food brands to change its packaging.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is one of the biggest global names in fast food but that did not stop the Clee Hill based Hedgehog Preservation Society from getting on to them when it discovered that packaging from the company was putting the lives of hedgehogs at risk.

Now KFC has changed its packaging throughout the UK and Ireland just in time for hedgehogs to re-emerge from their winter hibernation.

The problem was brought to the attention of the British Hedgehog Protection Society (BHPS) that the little prickly creatures, whose numbers are under threat, were getting their heads stuck in the packaging used for the KFC Krushems milkshake.

“It first came to our attention that there was a problem last year,” said Fay Vass, who is chief executive of the BHPS that has 11,000 members in the United Kingdom.

“Our charity had to work hard to make them realise that there was a problem and it has taken about eight months but the charity is delighted that KFC has also agreed to alter their packaging in order to save hedgehogs.

“We are delighted that KFC are changing their packaging to prevent littered cups from harming hedgehogs. We would ask that people dispose of litter responsibly as it can have a devastating impact on wildlife.”

The global food company has agreed to change the lid of the drink that had resulted in hedgehogs being stuck when they went to investigate the contents.

“KFC in the UK and Ireland will cease production of the current lid for the Krushems cup. After consultation with the BHPS," said a statement from KFC in the UK and Ireland.

A solution has been found by developing a new lid with a smaller aperture that prevents potential harm to wildlife.

KFC has 800 outlets in the UK and 19,000 worldwide in 120 countries.

It is not the first time that the Clee Hill based animal charity has got a household global brand to make changes to the design of its packaging.

A few years ago it was McDonalds after it was discovered that the design of McFlurry cup lids meant that when a hedgehog sought out the left over ice cream inside, it got the cup stuck on its head.

After pressure from BHPS and a considerable amount of time, the lid design was changed to reduce the size of the hole, preventing hedgehogs getting their heads in if the cups were dropped as litter.

There was also a ‘litter harms wildlife’ warning stamped on to every new lid.

Fay Vass, of the BHPS, said that people need to understand the harm that can be done to hedgehogs and other wildlife when litter and particularly food containers are carelessly disposed of.

She said that the risk increases at this time of the year as hedgehogs wake from their winter hibernation and more people get out and about with the arrival of spring.

Hedgehogs are also very vulnerable from garden fires as they tend to go under material that is collected for burning and people are asked to check any bonfire for hedgehogs before lighting them.

To find out more about the work of the BHPS visit www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk