Six baby hedgehogs have died after a woman was allegedly seen poking their mother with a broomstick an hour before it gave birth.

A member of the public said they spotted the woman trying to shoo the spiny animal out of a garden on Hinxhill Park housing estate in Willesborough, Ashford.

They then took the injured mammal to Thorne Hedgehog Rescue Centre in Pluckley where - about an hour after the incident on Monday morning - it gave birth to six hoglets.

But after being rejected by their mum and unable to feed, five died almost immediately, and although the remaining hoglet survived the night, it died shortly afterwards.

Lisa Steward, who runs the sanctuary from her home, said the mother hedgehog, who is still being cared for at the centre, suffered a severe head trauma.

She said it was “screaming in pain” when it arrived with a bloodied nose and fluid leaking from its ears.

“At the time she was rescued she was being poked with a broom by a woman as she didn't want it in her garden 'messing it up',” Ms Steward said.

“Whether the hedgehog had coincidentally been hit by a car or whether she was actually beaten with the broom isn't known but she has suffered head trauma, indicated by the fluid leaking from her ear and the blood coming from her nose.

"I was up all night feeding the hoglets every two hours, but they just faded as the night went on so it's very upsetting.

"We think they were born prematurely from the trauma, so six little lives have been lost because someone didn't want a hedgehog in their garden."

The mother hedgehog, now named Lydia, was initially cared for by Ms Steward, who gave the animal medication and steroids to stabilise her.

It was then taken to Briar House Veterinary Surgery in Broadstairs on Tuesday morning where x-rays confirmed she had suffered no broken bones.

It has now returned to the Pluckley centre but is facing an uncertain future.

"We do still have a chance to save mum at least, so that's what we will focus on now,” said Ms Steward, 47.

"Mumma has had a full assessment with our amazing vet Harrison and has definitely suffered severe head trauma.

“She will be on medication for the next week and reassessed then. She is still very poorly.”

Ms Steward says she has reported the incident to police, who say it has now been referred to the RSPCA.

The animal charity has been contacted for more information.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society has praised her efforts of giving the mum a chance of recovery.

They said: "This is made all the worse knowing that the hedgehog population is in such serious decline – every hedgehog is important when it comes to protecting the future of this unique British mammal.

"For those of us who are lucky enough to share our gardens and urban spaces with hedgehogs, it’s vital they are treated with respect and given space to forage, nest and live peacefully alongside us.

"Wild hedgehogs should never be moved or handled by members of the public unless in immediate danger or in need of rescue.

"Our thanks go to Thorne Hedgehog Rescue who tried so hard to save the hoglets and are working now to save the mother hedgehog. We hope this poor hedgehog can be rehabilitated and returned to the wild soon."

Those wishing to help donate to Lydia’s recovery can do so here.

It comes at the same time Ms Steward is trying to raise funds to convert a small area at the back of the centre into a new operating room where the likes of an anaesthetic machine would be on site to help her hedgehogs.