THE RSPCA is investigating after a group of children kicked a baby hedgehog to death in a sickening game of “football” at a Clacton holiday park.

The young animal was taken to the Wildlives Animal Sanctuary, in Thorrington, but died of internal injuries.

Rosie Catford, the centre's owner, said the hedgehog was smaller than a cricket ball and just three or four weeks old.

She said: “Staff at a holiday park in Clacton saw kids using it as a football and shouted at them to stop.

“They said one little thug decided to give it a final couple of kicks before running off.

“It is incomprehensible, just beyond belief, that anyone could harm a gentle, defenceless animal.

“We have already lost up to 97 per cent the UK’s hedgehog population and every one is precious. For one to be killed in this way defies belief.

"We thought we might be able to save it, but it was too badly injured.”

Ms Catford said the centre contacted the RSPCA because staff at the holiday park said they might be able to go through their records and identify the children responsible.

The Gazette has agreed not to name the holiday park.

The number of hedgehogs in the UK is being decimated, with experts believing their numbers have fallen 30 per cent since just 2002.

An RSPCA spokesman said: “It is always sad to hear about an animal being treated in such a cruel manner.

“Sadly, incidents like this are nothing new to the RSPCA, and we take hundreds of thousands of calls every year about similar acts of cruelty.

“All animals should be treated with care and respect and incidents such as this highlight that families must be aware of how their behaviour and actions can potentially harm animals.

“People can report animal cruelty to us on 0300 1234 999 so we can investigate.

“The public are our eyes and ears. Without their help too many people would be able to get away with such sickening behaviour.”