Animal lovers are appealing for towels to help them save creatures brought in to a wildlife hospital.

RSPCA staff use them to help care for everything from seals to hedgehogs, like the little creature pictured, at East Winch Wildlife Centre.

'The poor little hog was coughing up water and was very cold when found so the chap dried him off and brought him to the centre,' said mnager Alison Charles.

'After a check over by our vet the hog is now recovering in isolation - it is on a heat pad and wrapped in a towel to help it recover from its ordeal.'

Miss Charles said hedgehogs can swim but need a help by way of a ramp etc to get out of ponds and pools if they have steep or slippery sides.

Asda in South Wooton has agreed to act as a collecting point for towels, which can be left in the store from today until August 17.