A CHARITY has removed netting from a hedgerow after activists raised concerns about it trapping animals.

St Richard's Hospice originally put netting over the hedgerow at its base, in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, in a bid to protect wildlife, during a £5.3million expansion.

June Patel, chief executive of St Richard’s Hospice, said: “As an organisation, we recognise and take seriously our responsibility to comply with all planning and construction regulations which are applicable to our current building works.

"We have listened to concerns raised by members of the public and, following professional advice, have sought alternative methods for protecting the hedgerow which runs along our site boundary, while remaining compliant with all regulatory requirements.

"While we continue to engage with planning and ecological officers from Worcester City Council to agree a way forward, our immediate response has been to instruct the removal of the netting.”

A resident originally sent the Worcester News pictures of the netting and raised concerns about the impact on wildlife.

Reacting to the news of the netting's removal, they said: "At last some common sense and respect for our wildlife.

"Thank you to St Richard's and their contractors for acting on our concerns."