CRUEL yobs in Chingford who burned a hedgehog to death using a firework should be jailed, according to an animal rights campaigner.

The animal (pictured), which had suffered horrific burns, was found by Jeff Hillyer on a footpath between Forest Glade and Charter Road by the river Ching.

The helpless hedgehog is one of hundreds who unnecessarily perish at this time of year due to Guy Fawkes Day celebrations, according to Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue.

But the organisation says the sinister practice of torturing and killing hedghogs is on the rise.

Mr Hillyer, 59, of Gordon Avenue, Highams Park, said: "At first I thought it had been burnt by crawling into a bonfire but when the vet examined it he said its injuries were far too bad.

"He said he thought a banger had struck it and burnt it. I can't believe why anybody would want to do that?"

Derek Knight of the Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue has called for courts to hand down severe penalties for those caught targeting hedgehogs.

He said: "It is unfortunately a very common and deliberate act of cruelty. People who throw fireworks at hedgehogs should be sent to prison.

"Hedgehogs are harmless animals. What have they done to deserve this type of cruelty? They are endangered species. There are 20,000 in Britain at the moment and if we continue to kill hedgehogs at the current rate there will be none left in 10 years time."

Mr Knight added hedgehogs can also die unnecessarily if they crawl under unlit bonfires and then curl up when the fire is lit.

He said: "When attacked they don't run away but curl up in a ball instead."

Kay Bullen, trustee of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, said: “It’s deplorable. We condemn this activity. We would much rather people go to organised events than have bonfires at their own homes.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "We condemn this behaviour and find it despicable that someone could find killing hedgehogs funny. We would definitely prosecute anybody responsible."

She advised anyone with information to call 0300 1234 999.