Watch as cheeky fox helps himself to hedgehog food in Horsham garden

And the roaming reynard was undeterred as a couple of squirrels played in a nearby tree proving that wildlife is flourishing in Horsham even in the current heatwave.

But residents can do more to help. Sussex Wildlife Trust advises people to help animals beat the heat by providing a shallow dish of water for thirsty birds, mammals and insects, and to keep this clean and topped up.

People are also advised to keep bird feeders topped up and to scatter some food on the floor for ground-feeders. Soaked raisins and halved apples offer moisture, as well as live or soaked mealworms.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust says that safe table scraps include unsalted bacon rind, bread, mild grated cheese and pastry. Hedgehogs, badgers and foxes also like tinned cat or dog food.