Hedgehogs of all ages, sizes and length of prickles breathed a sigh of relief after being given their own special road crossing.

The scurry of tiny feet could be heard around Wellesley Crescent when a group of hedgehogs was invited to road test a dedicated crossing, complete with lollipop lady.

The safe passage was created to raise the plight of the nation’s hedgehogs, which have declined in numbers by a third in the past 10 years.

Despite initial trepidation, the little hogs were soon crossing the Strawberry Hill road with confidence last Thursday.

Hedgehog handler Trevor Smith, of Animal Works, which supplies and trains pets for the film industry, said: "Our hedgehogs had great fun ruling the roads for the day with the hedgehog crossing, and it will hopefully encourage everyone to do their bit in helping the hedgehogs of Britain stick around for years to come."

However, if there had been any mishaps the hedgehogs were safe in the knowledge they were just a few roads away from a hedgehog rescue centre, in Fourth Cross Road.

Sue Kidger, who runs the centre, which took in 150 hedgehogs last year, said: “Anything that highlights hedgehogs - and the need to look after them - I support.”

She added a big threat to hedgehogs in this area were attacks from foxes and from being killed accidentally by garden equipment or bonfires. She urged people to contact rescue centres if young hedgehogs are spotted in the daylight as they should be hibernating at this time of year.

Although hedgehogs are most prevalent in the east of England it was named as the worst area for the decrease in the creature’s numbers, with a drop of 50 per cent recorded between 1991 and 2001, with a further 28 per cent decline in the past decade.

Increased traffic has been identified as the main cause of death of the spiky animals and between July and September 2010 more than 4,000 hedgehog casualties were recorded. Experts predict that as many as 50,000 hedgehogs die on the roads every year.

The temporary crossing was also set up to coincide with the release of the new Sonic the Hedgehog computer game, Sonic Colours today. To show support for Britain’s hedgehogs, Sega pledged to make a donation to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to coincide with the launch.

It is hoped the crossing could be rolled out around the country to give the four-legged mammals a break from their normal fearful road crossing and to raise awareness of their struggle.

Anna Downing, product manager for Sega, said: "Hedgehogs are an intrinsic part of British wildlife and with Sonic the hedgehog such an institution we thought he was the perfect figure to raise awareness of their plight."

Contact Sue Kidger at the Twickenham centre on 020 8894 3712 or 07776 153633.