This morning, there will no doubt be a large number of pumpkins that have fulfilled their purpose and are no longer wanted.

Our friends at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust want to remind everyone that pumpkins should never be left out for wildlife in local nature reserves (LNR) etc...

* Pumpkins are not a natural food source to the wildlife that live in our LNRs
* They can make some species such as hedgehogs really poorly
* Not only can feeding pumpkins to birds, foxes, badgers & deer make them unwell, it can also spread disease.
* Dumped pumpkins can disturb the sensitive balance of soils which could also be harmful to plant life

* Please dispose of your pumpkins in your food waste or compost bin when you're finished.

* Better yet, you could turn your pumpkin into something tasty like a pumpkin pie or a soup.