TALKS about introducing endangered species of wildlife to a village have begun.

Members of Hapton Parish Council discussed the possibility of reintroducing hedgehogs and bringing red squirrels to the area at their latest meeting.

Hedgehog populations have declined massively in the last 50 years with numbers dropping from around 30 million to one-and-a-half million.

The red squirrel’s population has dropped by 80 per cent across Lancashire and Merseyside due to a pox outbreak in 2008.

Michael Greenwood, the council’s lengthsman, brought the suggestion forward.

He said: “It would be a good idea to help with the populations of both animals.

“We used to see lots of hedgehogs around here but they’ve slowly disappeared.

“If we could get them back it would be great for everyone, people would be encouraged to visit the more rural areas.”

Cllr Tim Birbeck, chairman of the council, said: “We need to speak to the right organisations and plan the best way of getting the best result.

“I would love to see hedgehogs back in Hapton, they’re an endangered species.

“It would be great to have the red squirrels and hedgehogs flourishing again, it’s a terrible shame their numbers have dropped so low.”

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Red Squirrels United project is aiming to secure a network between Merseyside and Lancashire’s red squirrel populations.

A trust spokesman said: “Hedgehog numbers have declined in recent years through the increase in roads and the loss of hedgerows.

“Within the next decade they could face extinction.

“It is very difficult for isolated groups of squirrels to survive."