The legendary Queen guitarist, Brian May, teamed up with the charity Amazing Grace, and has saved a Hedgehog habitat in battle with supermarket giant Sainsbury’s. He now wants to make Surrey Britain’s first hedgehog safe borough.

Brian May has always played an active role in the protection of wildlife, particularly hedgehogs. He said on  hopes for a hedgehog safe borough: “I don’t think anyone wants to see a country without this most lovable of residents, but unless we act now there’s a real danger that will happen. We want to create hedgehog safe boroughs across the country, starting here in Surrey Heath.” He continued “We are saving these wonderful creatures for the benefit of our children, so it’s only right that they are at the forefront of the fight – that’s why we’re taking Grace into schools.”

Amazing Grace is a charity set up in the name of a hedgehog, Grace, who came to them with a significant wound. The charity saved Grace, and she has continued to be a focal point of their campaign to save the hedgehogs natural environment. They also run a magazine, Hedgeducation, that provides tips on how to make the environment safe for hedgehogs. They also have several star contributors including, super vet Noel Fitzpatrick and ‘Hedge Honcho’ Tracey Crouch MP.

May and the hedgehog charity Save Me Trust, in which he is co-founder, linked up with Amazing Grace and launched a campaign against Sainsbury’s when they announced plans to extend their Burpham, Surrey store. The charity proposed that such an expansion would threaten nearly 70 trees and other wildlife in the surrounding area and has now prompted the musician to push for Surrey to be Britain’s first hedgehog safe borough.

Sainsbury’s quickly withdrew their plans when the guitarist stepped in last November. He said on the issue: “Sainsbury’s decision is a great step towards ensuring that wild animals already pushed into narrow corridors are able to survive and, more importantly, to thrive. We are now confident that solutions can be found for their expansion plans that are sustainable and effective, supporting local flora, fauna and humans.”

A spokesperson for the supermarket said: “We will work in partnership with local groups to redesign our application so that it doesn’t touch the buffer zone surrounding the ancient woodland and also increases the biodiversity of the area. We look forward to working with the community over the coming months especially with groups such as Save Me Trust and the Woodland Trust, on a revised proposal that brings the best possible environmental benefits alongside supporting local jobs and more convenient ways to shop.”

The iconic guitarist also revealed last month that he and his bandmates from Queen are currently working in the studio to produce new music.

You can follow the Save Me Trust‘s and Amazing Grace‘s fight to save hedgehog habitats on social media.