A hedgehog which fell into a fountain at a Nottinghamshire landmark was saved when eagle-eyed visitors alerted staff.
The frightened animal was spotted in the historic Nemi fountain at Rufford Abbey country park.
Worried visitors called caretaker Ady Grieve who put on a pair of protective gloves and pulled the hedgehog out.
Site manager John Clegg said: “There, quivering against the wall, was Mrs Tiggy-Winkles all in a pickle.
“She had fallen into the pool by mistake and couldn’t get out until spotted by a member of the public. Fortunately the pool was fairly empty but the warm sun was beginning to take its toll on her.”
A few calming words and gentle coaxing from Ady and the hedgehog was returned to the gardens on Monday.
The Nemi fountain was installed in 1889 when Rufford’s 18th century bath house was converted into the Orangery.
The owner of Rufford at the time was Sir John Savile, a keen archaeologist who had acquired a large collection of antique sculptures and artefacts from an excavation he financed at the Temple of Diana, at Nemi in Italy.
