Helen Skelton visited Warwickshire in tonight’s instalment to meet conservationists who are trying to combat the decline in population of dormice.

The Countryfile presenter revealed the number of hazel dormice has fallen by a third in the last 20 years.

She met Ian White, one of the country’s leading dormice conservationists who showed her nest boxes which had been set up in an area of woodland.

Despite failing to find any of the small creatures in the first two nest boxes they looked in, Ian’s colleague found a dormice family close by.

However, in order to see how many dormice had made the nest box their home, the conservationists emptied the box into a plastic bag.

Despite the dormice experts reassuring Helen the use of plastic bags was safe for the creatures, viewers were outraged by the method.

One said: “Poor things will die of fear!” 

“The dormice look terrified in that bag #countryfile,” another added.

“Dormice in plastic bags?! What is this, the funfair? #countryfile,” said a third.

A fourth commented: “#countryfile Suffocating dormice in a plastic bag. Very environmentally friendly!”

“Don’t suffocate the little blighters. #countryfile, a fifth added.

Meanwhile, last week Countryfile sparked debate as viewers were divided over a working animals episode.

The episode saw the presenters meet a number of working animals who have pivotal roles in the countryside.

Sean was in the Lake District where he met Cockermouth’s Mountain Rescue to see search and rescue dogs in action.

He then visited Dales ponies to find out how they are used to clear forests of timber in areas machinery can’t get to.

However the issue sparked debate on social media as some viewers felt uncomfortable with the segment.

One said: “I don’t like to see working horses, it seems a bit cruel. Often more than a bit. #countryfile.”

Another added: “Not completely happy about seeing horses being used to carry heavy weights. They’re only ‘working horses’ because we’ve forced them to be. #countryfile.”

“I always enjoy the programme but not tonight. @BBCCountryfile,” a third wrote.

However other viewers were fascinated by the segment.

One said: “Another brilliant programme. It doesn’t get better than #countryfile.”

“#Countryfile I always love the show but tonight was a particularly enjoyable one. Lovely seeing the working animals,” another tweeted.

Countryfile airs Sunday on BBC One at 7pm.

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