But for Mr Prickleless that natural form of defence has disappeared after the tiny hedgehog lost his ... rescue centre there has been no evidence that his spikes will ever grow back.

but prickle-free Nelson is the world’s cuddliest hedgehog. Vets at the Foxy Lodge Wildlife Rescue in Hemsby, Norfolk, think the cute critter lost his spikes due to a trauma in the wild.

As the nights turn darker and the winter chill sets in, spare a thought for this bald hedgehog Nelson. Hedgehogs' wrinkly bodies normally have around 500 spikes, which protect them from predators ...