Gardeners warned not to get rid of leaves in garden this winter

Everyone with a garden is being urged not to rake up leaves this winter due to a potential threat to an endangered species in the UK.

For anyone lucky enough to live somewhere leafy with lots of trees, this time of year brings a swirling blanket of leaves thickly covering lawns, patios, and decking and everything else which when rain, ice and snow arrives as it has this week can often turn into wet mulch and slippery ice.

However, experts now advise against clearing all leaves from outdoor spaces, recommending that some piles be left intact.

Leaves are beneficial for gardens , as they decompose and enrich the soil with essential nutrients, acting as a natural fertiliser to promote healthy lawns, crops, and flowers in the following year.

Of course, an overabundance of leaves can be