Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) has launched a new campaign, ‘Make Wildlife Welcome’, to encourage local people to give garden wildlife a hand to survive the winter.

The State of Nature report in 2013 revealed 60 per cent of the UK species studied have been declining in recent years.

However many of these species, such as starlings and hedgehogs, are known to live in our gardens.

DWT’s new campaign is aimed at anyone with a garden, and even those without a garden, to spread the word that everyone can do something – no matter how small – to give wildlife a fighting chance.

Anyone who makes a pledge to Make Wildlife Welcome in their garden will receive a free book ‘Bringing a garden to life’ which tells the story of how friends and supporters, Wiggly Wigglers, created their own garden for wildlife, and how you can too.

They will also receive wildflower seeds, free literature and downloads, plus expert advice and information from Dorset Wildlife Trust.

DWT’s community conservation officer and wildlife gardening coordinator, Joy Wallis said; “Many people think that gardening is only a spring or summer activity, but there’s lots you can be doing to help garden wildlife throughout the colder months. “For example, if it is very cold, a hedgehog could wake from hibernation, and it will need a warm, safe place to stay and high energy food, to ensure its survival.”