A garden hedgehog house has been called “lethal” by an animal rescue charity.

The £9.99 “hedgehog igloo” is on sale at Aldi and other shops.

The shelter is made of brushwood with a waterproof membrane.

It is designed to protect hedgehogs from predators.

However, Hedgepigs and Hoglets Rescue warns the mammals could become trapped – leaving them to starve to death or asphyxiate.

It claims the opening is too small and the hogs can catch their prickles on the roof lining.

The rescue centre in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, has called for the “igloo” to be banned.

And it took to social media to put off potential buyers.

Alongside a picture of the wooden hut it said:

“Please do not buy this product.

“It is going on sale on Thursday 8th October in Aldi stores.

“These igloo houses have been the cause of death for many hedgehogs, we are calling for their ban.

“They are poorly made and blow over in the wind.

“They should be removed from the market.

Jill Dodds, 62, the charity’s director said:

“In my opinion they are not well built so bricks can land on top of them or a storm can cause them to fall over.

“Another rescuer said to me that one of their foster carers had a hedgehog house.

“They had not seen the hog for three days and found it stuck in the house.

“Luckily, it was found in time, but these houses and netting can kill hedgehogs.”