THE centre of one of the biggest, busiest cities in the UK may not seem like the most friendly of places for hedgehogs.

But the University of Bradford has just nabbed an award for being a "hedgehog friendly campus."

Located in the heart of Bradford city centre, the University had to prove its large campus offered a safe environment for the spikey mammal, which is considered an endangered species in the UK.

UK Hedgehog populations today are estimated to be between 500,000 and 1m, compared to about 36m in the 1960s.

The institution has this week been awarded the Hedgehog Friendly Campus bronze award by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Work carried out by the University to achieve the accolade included:-

• Setting special hedgehog tunnels on campus

• Creating bug hotels and conducting litter picks

• ‘Rewilding’ certain areas

• Ensure grounds staff are aware of habitat spaces

• Formation of activity group to report sightings.

Chief finance officer Stuart McKinnon-Evans, who has championed the cause, said: “I am overjoyed we have been awarded bronze in recognition of the work across the University to provide for hedgehogs. This is testimony to the hard work we have put in and the development of the natural habits on site.

Nature reserve in the heart of Bradford city centre

“I will be ensuring that we move forward and do what is required to achieve silver status this year. It is all great development work if we can increase our biodiversity on campus and support the enhancement of the ecosystem in our corner of Bradford.”

The status is also part of the University's wider Sustainability Project, launched in November, and follows the University being awarded official observer status for all future UN COP climate conferences.

Richard Hirst, building operations manager, added work towards securing a silver award would include things like creating ‘low mow’ areas, introducing more green spaces across campus, adding log piles and promoting awareness days, including carrying out surveys and working with local schools.

He said: “This is recognition of the hard work between the University’s Grounds Team, the Students’ Union and the University Executive.

“This journey commenced with the appointment of a new head gardener to oversee the changes in the external environment. In addition to providing spaces and habitats for hedgehogs developments in the grounds, we will also improve planting for pollinators, in particular the resident bees and we will be rewilding part of the campus to enhance biodiversity.”